Final Word from Monday, January 9, 2017
ČSSD is at a disadvantage to almost all the other Czech political parties, because it has decided to adhere fairly closely to a Obama- and Merkel-inspired liberal agenda that isn't very popular with the majority of Czech voters. Adding to this disadvantage is ČSSD's lack of consistency in promoting this agenda. After the U.S. intelligence services issued their report on Fri. on Russian activities in the elections, State Secretary Tomáš Prouza gave the report his seal of approval on Twitter and warned that the Czechs are next in line. This wasn't surprising, but then Foreign Min. Lubomír Zaorálek told Czech TV that the U.S. intelligence services overstepped their authority and that he is worried about the peaceful transfer of power in the U.S. And then PM Bohuslav Sobotka retweeted Zaorálek's comment, seeming to suggest that he agrees. This response raises numerous questions. Is ČSSD merely trying to appease Miloš Zeman? Has it finally resigned itself to a Trump presidency? Will it be prepared to tone down its own rhetoric and to work with Trump to repair relations with Russia? [Czech Republic Vladimir Putin CIA NSA]
Glossary of difficult words
seal/stamp of approval - an official statement or indication that something is accepted or regarded favorably;
to appease - to pacify or placate someone;
to resign oneself to - to accept that something undesirable cannot be avoided;
to tone something down - to make something less extreme or intense.