Czech Green Party Makes Regional Breakthrough
Date: 05-Jun-06
Country: CZECH
A relatively obscure group until former Environment Minister Martin Bursik took over as leader a year ago, the Green Party had 6.3 percent of the vote with most ballots counted, just above the five percent needed for parliamentary representation.
"I have to thank our voters. After all, people who cast votes for us were giving votes to a party that wasn't in parliament. That takes more courage than voting for well established parties where there is no risk," Bursik told a jubilant crowd at the party election headquarters.
With a policy mix of liberal economics and environmental causes, Bursik has brought the party to prominence with his down-to-earth style, riding trams with a rucksack over his shoulder instead of travelling in limousines.
He stayed out of the negative campaign waged by the two main parties, the rightist Civic Democrats and ruling Social Democrats, earning the admiration of former President Vaclav Havel, who endorsed the Greens during the campaign.
Projections show the Greens with seven seats in parliament and they are likely to be asked by the rightist Civic Democrats to join a coalition with the centrist Christian Democrats. The grouping would have 101 seats in the 200-seat lower house.
All three parties have similar economic policies on lowering the tax burden, and reforming health care and pensions, although the Greens would like new taxes on energy.
