Final Word from Tuesday, November 29, 2022

A March survey by STEM/Mark found that 80% of Czechs could imagine having a female president and that 65% would specifically prefer to have a woman in the position. There are two female candidates, Danuše Nerudová and Denisa Rohanová. The first is considered a major contender, whereas the second is considered a major underdog. Some constitutional lawyers, including Jan Kysela, argue that Rohanová shouldn't have been allowed in the race because she used the signatures of MPs who are no longer in office. Just a few hours after interior-ministry officials approved her candidacy, Interior Min. Vít Rakušan (STAN) told Czech Radio (at 1m10s) that he considers the way Rohanová qualified to be the most problematic aspect of the existing law. Nerudová is one of STAN's preferred candidates, so it's not unreasonable to suspect that Rakušan's comment was politically motivated. Some media outlets are also trying to discredit Rohanová. It makes sense from a political standpoint, because if Rohanová collected even just 2-3% of the vote because she is a woman, it could be enough to keep Nerudová out of the second round. [ Czech Republic poll ]