Final Word from Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Bohuslav Sobotka is sitting high in the saddle going into today's attempt by the center-right opposition in Parliament to give his government a vote of no confidence. Attention will turn almost entirely to Andrej Babiš's conflicts of interest, which is allowing Sobotka to slip one of his own biggest conflicts under the radar. The cabinet voted yesterday on Sobotka's recommendation to nominate Petr Rafaj to another six-year term as head of the ÚOHS antitrust office, even though Rafaj is widely seen to be mediocre at his work at best. For some observers, he has become a symbol of ČSSD cronyism just as biofuel is now a symbol of ANO's corruption. If Miloš Zeman wanted to bring Sobotka down a notch as revenge for not voting for him for president first time around, now would be one of his best opportunities. It would also be doing a big service to the honest business community and country, should that interest the president as well. [Czech Republic competition]
Glossary of difficult words
to sit/ride high/tall in the saddle - to act or conduct oneself in a manner that is imposing, impressive or resolute;
to slip something under the radar - to present something in such a way that it goes unnoticed;
mediocre - ordinary, average;
cronyism - the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard for their qualifications.