Poll suggests Vaclav Klaus leads popularity poll
President Vaclav Klaus is soaring in the popularity ratings. A year into office, he seems to be relishing his role as head of state. A new poll suggests he has hit the pulse of public opinion, with the trust of over two-thirds of Czechs, well ahead of his nearest rivals. Mr Klaus has never been a stranger to controversy, and when he was prime minister, public opinion about him was deeply divided. So what has led to President Klaus winning the hearts of so many Czechs, even many who don't share his political views? Dita Asiedu reports:
When Vaclav Klaus was elected in February 2003, he said he would strive to be the 'people's president'. Just a year later, this dream seems to have become reality. Last year, results of an opinion poll suggested he enjoyed the trust of only 35% of Czechs. That number has now doubled. While this development is making headlines, it has come as no surprise to the country's politicians and sociologists. Political analyst, Vladimira Dvorakova:
"Vaclav Klaus is a fantastic actor. He knows what role he is playing in the moment. When he was the prime minister, he was able to divide and polarise the nation according to his politics. He was not a consensus-seeking politician. He had a very hard and arrogant behaviour. But now he knows that the role of the president in this system is very different. He has a rather weak position in internal politics. He is not supposed to actively influence the everyday politics and he really doesn't do that. But mainly, he does not participate in the discussion - about the tax, the health care reform and so on, which all have an impact on the standard of living and on the social welfare of citizens. So, he is not responsible for the everyday problems of the common citizen."
But Mr Klaus has been anything but silent regarding the country's entry to the European Union. Calling himself a Euro-realist, he has taken every opportunity to warn his people of the consequences of being a 'small country surrounded by a larger Europe that is striving to become a super-state'. While Czechs for the most part support their country's accession to the EU, many welcome their president playing the role of a concerned leader looking out for his people's interests.
Commentators agree that Mr Klaus has focused on playing his cards right to win the trust of the nation. He publicly rejected the war on Iraq, knowing it was the standpoint of most Czechs and published an article in a leading paper, in which he said it was the ordinary citizen who brought down the Communist government rather than dissidents. With the next presidential elections most likely to be held through direct vote, analysts say Mr Klaus is well aware that the best way to be re-elected for a second term is through the people.
