Русская версияPart of this struggle is allegedly the information that the anti-corruption police have started to take interest in Mayor of Prague Pavel Bem (ODS) and Roman Janousek, his friend, businessman and lobbyist, who is allegedly the leading figure in the preparations for the lucrative sale of Prague's Ruzyne international airport, LN writes.
The information was first released by weekly Respekt and then daily Mlada fronta Dnes (MfD) this week.
According to the information, the police have started a file on Bem and Janousek codenamed Blanik on the initiative of Interior Minister Ivan Langer (ODS), LN writes.
All concerned people, however, dismiss this information.
LN quotes anti-corruption police spokesman Roman Skrepek as saying he has no information about any proceedings being conducted against the above persons.
"It is a nonsense.
I only wonder what everything someone is capable of inventing and how many people are spreading it," Langer told LN.
"It is clear that the ODS election congress is coming closer," LN quotes Bem as saying.
Transport Minister Ales Rebicek ruled out any lobbying by Janousek in the airport privatisation, LN writes.
It writes that Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek (ODS) previously promised to Bem that Prague and Central Bohemia will get one third of the airport sale revenues.
It is estimated that the airport may be sold for up to 100 billion crowns.
Now, it seems that Topolanek has scrapped the agreement. According to an influential ODS member, who requested anonymity, Topolanek's move is "well targeted," LN writes.
The source said this is an example of "the prime minister's power methods. (The Prague and Central Bohemian ODS) will be unable to fulfil their pre-election promises to build a Prague bypass and new roads in the Central Bohemian region, and they will have a problem explaining it to the voters, " the source told LN.
He said the information about police investigating Bem's activities is nothing but "an intentional frightening of the rival."
LN writes that Petr Cibulka, former adviser to "rebelling" ODS deputy Vlastimil Tlusty says these developments are probably motivated by the struggle for positions ahead of the autumn regional elections and the party congress.
"Topolanek wants to get control of Prague and Central Bohemia and to instal his people in the posts of (Prague) mayor and (Central Bohemian) governor. Besides, the congress will be electing a new party leadership," Cibulka is quoted as saying.
He says the party leadership is to be completely overhauled to contain Topolanek's people.
"According to corridor information, Langer wants to be first deputy chairman (and replace Bem) and Rebicek is to become another deputy chairman. Topolanek will keep Labour and Social Affairs Minister Petr Necas as another deputy. The post of the fourth deputy chairperson may be filled by anyone, Cibulka says according to LN.
This would eliminate Bem, second deputy chairman Agriculture Minister Petr Gandalovic and further deputy chairman Petr Bendl, governor of Central Bohemia, LN writes.
(Ceske Noviny)
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