Final Word from Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Miloš Zeman's second inaugural address has been widely criticized as being inappropriate for the occasion. During such an event, emphasis should be placed on the dignity and symbolism of the moment, critics said. Similar condemnation followed the bizarre mock resignation ceremony at the Castle in May of last year. We ourselves said at the time that Zeman needed an intervention. In retrospect, though, Zeman achieved what he set out to do. He belittled PM Bohuslav Sobotka and thereby contributed greatly to his political downfall shortly thereafter. The embarrassing inaugural address last week should perhaps be evaluated in the same light. As bizarre as it was, Zeman apparently achieved what he set out to do. He had spoken repeatedly prior to this about what he sees as the bias of Zdeněk Bakala's media and of Czech TV, but for the first time the entire mainstream media had no choice but to report it. Time will tell whether heads also roll this time. [Czech Republic shameful disgraceful non-resignation Television attack public media]