Social Democrats face tough three days at start of party conference
The governing Social Democratic Party is going through a period of upheaval at the moment, with deep divisions emerging recently over leader Vladimir Spidla's handling of the presidential elections. One wing of the party loyal to former leader Milos Zeman - who failed to get elected president - wants to get rid of Mr Spidla. The anti-Spidla faction may take the opportunity of elections to the party leadership at this weekend's party conference as an opportunity to challenge him. The majority of regional party organisations have given Mr Spidla their backing ahead of the conference, but he is by no means assured of a quiet weekend at the party conference in Prague.
"The problem is that the previous chairman, Mr Zeman, was a very energetic man and he used a strong hand in managing the party. So, there were only a few dissidents. Mr Spidla is more democratic, open, and doesn't use a strong hand and therefore there are many dissidents in the party. I can't see how it can change if Mr Spidla stays in office. I think that there is a 6:4 chance that Mr Spidla will be elected because if they would elect somebody other than him it would result in the resignation of the government and the formation of a new one. This would be a complication ahead of the referendum on EU membership. So, I am afraid that the Czech Republic will face political instability in the next month as there is no chance for political stability with the present coalition."
But another problem the party is confronted with is the current war in Iraq. While the majority of the Czech people are opposed to the war and the Communist Party is gaining points by rallying against it, the Social Democrats are divided over the war. One of the more interesting issues at the conference will be a resolution tabled by Senator Richard Falbr calling for a condemnation of what he calls "American aggression". For now, Prime Minister Spidla is refusing to make his position on the issue clear.
