The inaugural conference of the Freedom Union was opened by its likely first leader, former dissident, Jan Ruml, attacking the political style of the ODS. Much of the conference continued in the same vein. Critics say the Freedom Union is, in fact, little more than the ODS without Vaclav Klaus and Jan Ruml, who served for five year. Interior Minister in Mr. Klaus's government, does not deny that his new party is very close to the ODS on many policy matters.

But he told delegates at the conference the Freedom Union is prepared to acknowledge mistakes made by the right and, therefore, can rehabilitate conservative politics in the Czech Republic. This is a topical concern with support for Mr. Klaus's ODS slumping ever lower in the opinion polls. But it's highly uncertain whether Mr. Ruml's prediction of 10% support for the Freedom Union will come true.