Topolánek's efforts to break the deadlock were tragicomic, in particular, calling for a special election of a 201st deputy. He demanded respect --- proclaiming, "ODS won the elections and will make the decisions" --- but failed to command it. His three-party coalition with the Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) and Greens (SZ), after agreeing to a common platform, failed again and again to unite long enough to elect its choice for parliamentary chairmen, a crucial step toward forming a new government.

ODS long-time chairman President Václav Klaus, deeply pragmatic and eager for a second term, is keen on a stable government with wide political support, and floated the idea of grand coalition or "opposition agreement," such as he once agreed with ČSSD rival Miloš Zeman.

This didn't come to pass, but Klaus did find common ground with Paroubek, perhaps during their private lunch a couple weeks back, and although ODS' ratings have risen, Topolánek looks weaker; the public has seen who are the true alpha males and party bosses.

On Aug. 15, ČSSD deputy Miloslav Vlček was elected interim parliamentary chairman; the next day, Paroubek finally resigned and Klaus was able to designate Topolánek prime minister; he now sits alone in Hrzánský Palác now, the traditional palace of leaders-in-waiting, knowing all too well that he faces a vote of confidence in a matter of just four weeks, that is, if his Cabinet materializes this week --- ČSSD doesn't want Ivan Langer as interior minister or Alexandr Vondra as foreign minister, while KDU and the Greens don't want anybody close to ČSSD in the Cabinet, with the possible exception of Pavel Zářecký (independent), chairman of the governmental legislative council.

The new government needs the support of at least 101 deputies, so Topolánek still has little room to maneuver, obliged to find compromise candidates without alienating his own people.

Another problem for Topolánek is what to do about a flat tax, the ODS' pre-election plank, which ODS leaders now are willing to scrap, but which ODS shadow finance minister Vlastimil Tlustý vehemently insists on. "I won't be a finance minister without a flat tax," he pledged.

Meanwhile, Topolánek continues to wait in the wings in Hrzánský Palác, optimistically proclaiming that his government will rule in a matter of three weeks. Furthermore, Paroubek is exploring creative ways to stage a return, without running afoul of the Constitution, and claims he can get the signatures of 101 deputies who'd support his reconstructed government.

Will the ČSSD leader seek to co-opt the very same "experts" he's trying to force on the ODS? And what of the KDU-ČSL ministers, who left Paroubek's coalition for Topolánek's failed one?

Meanwhile, Topolánek's wife Pavla, dubbed the "Ostrava Hillary [Clinton]," has announced she may run for the Senate on the Politics 21 ticket contesting ODS candidate Milan Balabán; Topolánek is beginning to look like a very sad knight indeed.

Irena Ryšánková is a parliament analyst for public broadcaster Česká televize.