Czech press survey - September 22

No one in the CSSD doubts that if Zeman were elected, a split might occur within the party because Zeman, former prime minister and Social Democrat leader, has never forgotten how the Social Democrats betrayed him in the 2003 presidential election, Mitrofanov writes.

Some Social Democrats hope that old times will return and along with them, they will be advanced, others are prepared to offer their services to Zeman after his comeback, he adds.

The voters who tend to ignore party infighting should bear in mind that a disintegrated Social Democrat party would be unable to play the role for which it is being prepared, Mitrofanov writes.

It would be subordinate to the president who has twice enabled the existence of right-wing governments, it adds.

As a result, the fighting spirit among the Social Democrats would be largely questioned, Mitrofanov writes.

CMKOS umbrella trade union leader Jaroslav Zavadil's statement that the Czech Republic is having the worst government since the 1950s is the silliest one the trade union head has ever made, Robert Casensky writes in Mlada fronta Dnes.

Comparing this government to those from the Communist era is not only silly, but virtually stupid, Casensky writes.

This and any other of the previous democratic governments cannot be compared with any Communist one, he adds.

A man who has spent 68 years of his life in this country should know this, Casensky writes.

He should also know that if he had said something like this 30 years ago, no television reporters would ask him for explanation, but he would be immediately sent to the slammer, he adds.

It is quite comprehensible that Prime Minister Petr Necas has refused to sit on the negotiating table with Zavadil unless he apologises for his shameful criticism, Lenka Zlamalova writes in Lidove noviny.

As trade unions have been losing influence and membership, they have also significantly moved along the North-South civilisation axis, Zlamalova writes.

Trade unions from northern countries have traditionally had many members, being influential, cultivated and able to negotiate, she adds.

In southern Europe, the membership has shrunk, but all the more they can be seen with shameful banners in the streets, Zlamalova writes.

It is useless to point out in which part of the continent people are better off, she adds.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz