Final Word from Tuesday, November 24, 2009
ODS's weekend party congress was largely about socking it to the privatizers, a group of regional "godfathers" who are trying to oust Mirek Topolánek as party chairman. They're said to be unhappy that more of the spoils aren't trickling down to them. Topolánek complained loudly that they're trying to privatize ODS, which is a variation on Miroslav Kalousek's theme of privatizing public authority. Less loudly, Topolánek has started challenging Vladimír Mlynář, an adviser to PM Jan Fischer, about who should control the Temelín tender. Topolánek wants the Fischer cabinet to keep its nose out of the deal and to allow state-owned ČEZ to do its own magic. The irony of "privatizing" the decision is delicious, but what better way for Topolánek to buy off the godfathers than by giving them a piece of the Temelín action? If this is his plan, his days as ODS chair might not be as numbered as people think. [Czech Republic nuclear power]
Glossary of difficult words
to sock it to someone - to attack someone;
to oust - to drive out or expel a person from a position or place;
spoils - goods stolen or taken forcibly from a person or place;
to trickle down - to gradually benefit the poorest as a result of the increasing wealth of the richest;
Temelín tender - a contest to enlarge the nuclear-power plant;
to buy someone off - to secure the loyalty and support of someone by bribery.