Final Word from Thursday, January 6, 2011
Miroslav Kalousek's decision to file criminal charges against the cabinet of Miloš Zeman and ex-CNB Gov. Josef Tošovský met with widespread scoffing, but his steady references to the "looting" in the sale of IPB to ČSOB are starting to make some headway. Kalousek's brilliance is in staying on message. IPB was worth Kč 34bn when ČSOB got it, he says repeatedly, but ČSOB paid just Kč 1. Where exactly he wants to go with this is unclear, but the longer he keeps it up, the more it will appear to be a warning to those linked to TOP 09 who might want to sideline him. Several commentators have pointed out the implications of the IPB charges to Zdeněk Tůma, but it's also worth noting that the biggest recent criticism of Kalousek both in terms of IPB and the eco-tender have come from publications owned by TOP 09 sponsor Zdeněk Bakala. And his role in the sale of IPB remains unexplained to this day.[Czech Republic Economia Respekt Publishing Media]
Glossary of difficult words
to scoff - to speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way;
steady - regular, even, and continuous in development, frequency or intensity;
headway - forward movement or progress;
to sideline someone - to remove someone from the center of activity or attention;
implication - a possible consequence of something.