Czech Communists attempt to cast off old image

All current Communist deputies are over 40 and only 5 are women. Tired of pariah status, the party is undergoing a youth-oriented makeover and trying to use feminist credentials to woo leftist voters.

"It is difficult to tell if this is a serious gesture or just an artificial pre-election tactic," says Blanka Knotkova, a lecturer in women's studies at Charles University. "In

order to win public trust, the Communists would have to distance themselves from their totalitarian past, which they have not done so far."

"I think most people were better off before the [democratic] revolution," says Konecna, though she acknowledges, " some bad things did happen."

"Now, the Communists have changed," she maintains. "We have a different economic policy and we are now based on democratic principles, which wasn't exactly the case in the 1960s or '70s."

Both of Konecna's parents were party officials, meaning she grew up with privileges in travel, education, and even grocery shopping while the party was in power. After the revolution, being a Communist instantly became a stigma, and her parents both lost their jobs in the agriculture administration.

Two years ago, Konecna became active in the Communist Party herself. As soon as she announced her candidacy last fall, several friends stopped speaking to her, and she began receiving threatening letters.

"A lot of the insults are very vulgar," she says. "I don't let it bother me though. "I believe in this party and its ideals. I don't like how so many politicians changed their coats after the revolution."

Konecna holds many traditional communist beliefs, including a distrust of Western countries and policies.

After the Czech government sent a military hospital to help US troops in Afghanistan last week, Konecna commented, "I don't agree with the American attacks on Afghanistan. They killed a lot of civilians and didn't catch the guy they were after, as usual. I don't have a problem with the Czech government sending a humanitarian aid, but it is unjust that Czechs have to mop after the Americans made a mess of things and injured all those people."

Even so, she is restrained compared with many Communists. She doesn't insist on state control of Czech industry or the abolition of private property.

Analysts say she and other young communists may eventually mold the party into a moderate left. Her main issues – education, unemployment and support for children – are naturally youth-oriented and of interest to large portions of the population.

"The main thing is the state has a responsibility to take care of its weaker citizens," she says.

Konecna, who is an economics major, says she will continue her studies while in parliament. Leisure pursuits, such as going to discos with friends on weekends, will largely become a thing of the past.

"I realize my life will never be so carefree again," she says but adds that "now it is time to take some responsibility and do something for other people."

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