Final Word from Tuesday, December 29, 2015

When an unnamed source at the ERÚ energy regulator tells Czech TV that the office will approve Kč 42bn in renewable-energy subsidies for next year, based on a government decree published yesterday, is it news or is it propaganda? When ČT reports that, "The decree states: Nothing stands in the way of the subsidies," is it news or is it propaganda? In fact, the decree states nothing of the sort, which suggests that ČT's entire report yesterday was more likely propaganda meant to put increased pressure on ERÚ Chair Alena Vitásková. If she or one of her deputies nevertheless signs the subsidy order without the question of EU approval being adequately addressed, the pressure on her from energy investors will subside, but she will look like a fool for making such an abrupt climbdown. The only thing she will have achieved is to get Bohuslav Sobotka's signature on the decree. Or is that all she really wanted anyway? [Czech Republic solar power]