Final Word from Friday, September 4, 2009
Czechs have already moved on to a second and third political scandal since the yachting days of Tuscany, but a recap of that cozy family getaway is useful. At the time, no one quite knew whom to blame for ordering the naughty pictures of politicians, lobbyists and ČEZmen: ČSSD? TOP 09? Foreign intelligence services? In retrospect, the most likely culprit is Czech Coal, which had reason to want to discredit Martin Roman and the ČEZ coalition. This coalition doesn't include just ČEZ and its lapdogs from ODS and ČSSD, but also J&T, PPF, Appian/Škoda and Czech Railways. Such an accumulation of power makes it difficult for other lobbying groups to do their thing. Interestingly, the current challenge to early elections might also have the goal of disrupting the ČEZ coalition. That doesn't necessarily mean Czech Coal is behind this one too. It might merely mean that the anti-ČEZ coalition is growing.[Czech Republic Holding Group]
Glossary of difficult words
recap - recapitulation; the act of summarizing and restating the main points of something;
cozy - intimate and relaxed;
getaway - vacation;
naughty - mildly rude or indecent (in the sense that the photos showed politicians in a mild state of inappropriate behavior);
lapdog - a person or organization that is influenced or controlled by another;
to do one's thing - to go about one's business.