Overall, politicians from rival parties have welcomed Mr. Cunek's
election to the post of chairman. Pavel Bem, deputy chairman of the
Civic Democrats, said he saw this as a step in the right direction.
Zdenek Skromach, deputy chairman of the Social Democrats said Mr.
Cunek's election was good news above all for the Christian Democrats
since it would give the party a chance to recover from its slump. And
Communist Party leader Vojtech Filip is hoping that Mr. Cunek's
pragmatic attitude may help the Christian Democrats overcome their
long-standing aversion towards the Communist Party. Political analysts
are careful in their predictions but several have expressed the belief
that Mr. Cunek's election could improve the party's ties with the
Social Democrats.