Final Word from Thursday, September 20, 2018

Is Miloš Zeman able to compartmentalize his revenge? If a politician or businessman is his sworn enemy in one area, is he able to work with the person in another? Zeman's relationship with Lubomír Zaorálek suggests that it's possible. Zaorálek was on Zeman's list of traitors after the 2003 presidential elections, but they found common ground in the last year or so of Zaorálek's tenure as foreign minister. What about Daniel Křetínský? When he bought Blesk and other media assets four years ago, he told MFD that he doesn't like it when the media incite general aversion to politicians, because it devastates society, but that the criticism should become much sharper in the case of individual politicians who deserve it. His media properties are now among Zeman's biggest critics. Can Zeman look beyond this today in political talks in Germany and support Křetínský's local coal investments? History shows that he can, but if he does, he will likely need something very big in return. [ Czech Republic Media Center Print energy ]