Final Word from Wednesday, June 28, 2017
The roughly 75% of the Czech media that go to bat for ČSSD a.s. are entering their most difficult period ever. How will they respond in the run-up to the elections to the steady stream of reports of corruption at ČEZ and of crookery in the privatization of OKD? The Babiš media have known for months what they will do. ČEZ and OKD will be an integral part of the ANO election campaign. Andrej Babiš alludes to them on Page 5 of his book of dreams, and ČEZ and OKD adorn the front pages today of MFD and LN, respectively. Babiš's strategy seems to be to use ČEZ and OKD to compromise Bohuslav Sobotka and those around him so much that Lubomír Zaorálek must start distancing himself from ČSSD a.s. This is in Miloš Zeman's interest too. The ČSSD-friendly media can continue to provide blanket protection by ignoring the developments at ČEZ and OKD, or they might decide to serve up Sobotka's head on a platter in the hope of limiting the damage. [Czech Republic NWR]
Glossary of difficult words
to serve up on a platter/plate - to provide something that is valuable for little or nothing;
to go to bat for - to defend or support someone when he or she needs help;
run-up - the period preceding a notable event;
crookery - crooked dealings or practices.