Final Word from Thursday, September 10, 2009
Unless a miracle occurs, the winner of the Czech elections will be ... the ČEZ coalition. Under almost all the scenarios involving ODS and ČSSD, ČEZ's energy monopoly will continue to grow. One spot of bother for any ČSSD-led government, though, would be the capitalist excesses of ČEZ CEO Martin Roman. They don't sit well with many voters. There's growing speculation that Roman will leave ČEZ on his own terms to avoid the humiliation of getting sacked. There might be only one position - other than that of PM - that would be a step up for him. EP Holding (the J&T-PPF vehicle) will soon need a seasoned energy professional. Roman's firm grip on Parliament would come in handy if EP Holding decided to expand its energy portfolio by, say, building up a controlling stake in ČEZ. If and when Roman makes his move, we might finally learn who that mysterious 10% owner of ČEZ is.[Czech Republic grand]
Glossary of difficult words
scenarios - the ČEZ coalition might not prevail if TOP 09, KDU-ČSL or one of the other small parties won enough votes to form a coalition;
spot of bother - small problem;
to sit well with - to meet the approval or expectations of;
humiliation - embarrassment, indignity;
PM - prime minister;
a step up - a promotion, advancement;
vehicle - instrument, agent, medium;
seasoned - experienced.