The leader of the Czech opposition Social Democrats (ČSSD) Bohuslav Sobotka has brushed away a suggestion by his deputy Zdeněk Škromach that the country’s left wing parties unite under ČSSD leadership. Škromach, allegedly inspired by Robert Fico’s Slovak example, told the media that it was necessary to form an anti-government coalition to unite the fragmented left. Sobotka believes the situation in the Czech Republic is different, as it has a strong Communist Party, which has become attractive for radicalized, dissatisfied voters. Two former social democratic prime ministers have established their own parties, and it’s unclear whether either of the political dinosaurs would submit to leadership from politicians they once commanded.
