Hašek gains momentum in leadership bid
Last year the Czech Republic saw no shortage of political drama in national, municipal and Senate elections; 2011 has so far been quieter, but in one area at least things will soon heat up: within the Social Democratic Party, which will choose a new chairman in March. Two candidates – acting leader Bohuslav Sobotka and regional governor Michal Hašek – will face each other in a leadership battle to decide the direction of the opposition party in the years to come. At the weekend, seven of the party’s 14 regional organisations backed Mr Hašek, while four opted for Mr Sobotka.
“Mr Sobotka has been the acting head of the Social Democratic Party after Jiří Paroubek stepped down last May. In this position he gains much more visibility in the media. But there is a downside to: as acting head of the main opposition party he has been more or less forced to lead a more radical or aggressive anti-government campaign. He has to challenge the government in its plans including its reforms. But actually what many within the party and even outside of it want is somebody who will bring a more consensual style in politics. And more Mr Sobotka has not really been acting like that.”
Originally it appeared that Mr Sobotka had the momentum, now that appears to have shifted somewhat: Mr Hašek’s rise has been more recent... would you say he is in the driver’s seat?
You mentioned Jiří Paroubek at the beginning: what do the Social Democrats have to do in order to be more successful? Last year they fared surprisingly poorly in the national election and lacked coalition potential; how will they gain that back?
“It’s a fact that there are only two left-wing parties in the Czech Republic: the Social Democrats and the Communists and one would think they naturally they’d go together. But that isn’t the case: the Social Democrats – some of them anyway – are still against cooperation. And that leaves space only in the centre or on the right side of the political spectrum. The previous Paroubek leadership and their campaign made a big mistake in targeting not only their main rivals but also the smaller centrist parties, such as Public Affairs – potential coalition partners. And they were left out. That’s something they’ll need to change.”
That seems to be playing into the hands of Michal Hašek, who is taking the more conciliatory approach: do you think that a lot will still change before the leadership convention or that it will be a close battle?
“We have witnessed in the past that regional convention nominations can turn into surprising results at the national convention – not just in the Social Democratic Party. I wouldn’t place bets on the winner yet – it’s 50/50 and I think the decision in the end will be a close shave, not overwhelming support for the winner. There will be heated discussion at the convention in March, I’m sure.”
