Czech artist David Cerny aims giant middle finger at Prague Palace

PRAGUE A Czech artist known for his anti-communist stance has floated a huge statue of a hand making an obscene gesture on Prague's main river, days before parliamentary elections that could give the communists a taste of power almost a quarter-century after they were ousted.

David Cerny's giant purple hand, extending an oversized middle finger, was placed on a pontoon on the Vltava river Monday, near the famed Charles Bridge and visible from Prague Castle, the seat of the presidency.

President Milos Zeman supports a plan by the leftist Social Democrats to form a minority government after the vote with tacit support from the maverick Communist Party.

It would be for the first time since the 1989 anti-Communist Velvet Revolution that the party would get power, at least indirectly.

Cerny has gained international attention with his larger than life art installations. His previous work includes the famous "London Booster" at the 2012 Olympics in London; a full-size iconic red London bus with giant arms that enabled the vehicle to do push-ups.