Wobbled, not toppled

摘要

The squabbling parties of the Czech centre-right prefer to stay in power than face voters' wrath. That is the upshot of the latest storm in Czech politics, which started with a split in the Public Affairs party (vv, by its Czech initials). Formerly part of the ruling coalition, its internal feuds came to a head after the conviction for bribery of its leading light, Vit Barta. A deputy prime minister, Karo-lina Peake, left with seven other deputies, amid growing concern about the party's tactics and behaviour.