Czech Communists shrug off Marx, look to future

PRAGUE, Apr 9: A statue of Karl Marx still greets visitors to the headquarters of the Czech Communist Party but the party's message ahead of June elections is clear -- the ''dictatorship of the proletariat'' will not come back.

Currently lying third in opinion polls with support of about 12 per cent, the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), is as close to power as it has been since the overthrow of its Soviet-style predecessor in November 1989.

Once considered a pariah for any party to cooperate with, the Communists are slowly moving toward the mainstream of politics, ruling out nationalising property while talking about more liberal economic policies that ensure personal freedoms as well as a strong social welfare network.

''We support a pluralistic democracy,'' party leader Vojtech Filip told Reuters in an interview.

''We don't care who is an owner as long as the rights of all owners have the same protection.'' Even views on foreign policy -- traditionally one of the biggest differences with mainstream parties -- have softened.

The Communists are still against Czech membership of their Cold War foe NATO, but no longer mind European Union membership, and say they can accept adoption of the euro currency in 2010 so long as the economy is ready.

The party has changed its logo to red cherries and a white star from the brooding hammer and sickle and red star of one-party rule under communism.

PEACE DIVIDEND

The move to emulate many policies of leftist European parties is paying dividends. The Communists stand a good chance of supporting a minority government led by the leftist Social Democrats of Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek, especially if Filip captures the aimed-for 20 per cent of the vote -- slightly more than the party won in 2002.

Paroubek has spoken of such a deal, noting the Communists would not be allowed into government posts, an arrangement Filip said he would accept to help stave off a rightist government.

''Our key word is tax justice. Not raising taxes, not lowering them. We need a just tax system,'' he said.

Though its core electorate remains older Czechs who have fallen behind economically in the transition to a free market economy, the Communists have attracted some young voters and pushed forward younger members to show its new face.

Analysts said the changes might be splitting the party and the strong position of the far left members remains an obstacle.

A move too far to the centre may leave little distance between the Communists and parties such as the Social Democrats.

''The hardliners doom the party to a position where it will be waiting a long time for an opportunity because they deprive it of coalition potential,'' said political analyst Jiri Pehe.

''It (the party) can blackmail other parties, it can sometimes dictate a little bit, but it will only be an influential back-seat driver in the political game.

''Will anyone be interested in making compromises with the Communists if it will suffice to wait for it (the party) to fade away?'' Pehe added.

Not all voters are impressed by the kindler, gentler rhetoric now espoused by the party either.

Many still bristle at the thought of Communists holding any power in the public administration.

At a recent exhibition on Communist crimes in Prague, dozens of former political prisoners and their families gathered amid a display of documents and photographs depicting the brutality and loss suffered during the hardline Communist era.

Nadezda Kavalirova was one of those who suffered under Communist rule -- spending three years in prison -- and is aghast that the party garners such large support.

She said she is wary of the party's rehabilitation.

''We, the political prisoners, perceive this (continued popularity of the party) as creeping communism,'' she said.

REUTERS