Czechs go to polls with deep divisions over reform

Czech conservatives and the ruling Socialists are running neck-and-neck ahead of the two-day elections that start today and are likely to be the closest since the fall of communism.

The tight race reveals deep divisions in the Czech Republic over whether the nation needs bold reforms or the status quo – and follow similarly close and bruising elections in Germany, Poland and Italy.

With both sides ruling out a “grand coalition” like the one that eventually prevailed in Germany last year, the winner in Prague will probably be forced to form a weak government with little mandate to carry out its vision.

The centre-right Civic Democratic Party of Mirek Topolanek is seeking to oust Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek’s Social Democrats, who have been in power for the past eight years.

The conservatives are pushing for major changes including a flat tax and reforms in the EU. But they stand almost no chance of governing alone even if they win the Friday-Saturday elections for the 200-seat lower chamber of parliament.

Topolanek says he would most likely seek an alliance with the small centre-right Christian Democratic Party – and has ruled out teaming up with the Socialists.