Final Word from Wednesday, April 20, 2022

A cartoon in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung points to the warlike behavior of the Greens in the new German government by saying that they are now called the Olive Greens. Wearing olive in the Czech government is not only Defense Min. Jana Černochová of ODS, but also Foreign Min. Jan Lipavský of the Pirates. Last night he joined Černochová in calling Russia's actions in Ukraine genocide, and he also attacked the biggest European opponent of Russia in the conflict by saying that it is necessary to change Germany's behavior. The CR is nearly 100% dependent on Russia for natural gas and on Germany for delivering it, yet Lipavský told Czech TV that the CR's biggest ally in pressuring Chancellor Olaf Scholz and SPD to agree to tighten the sanctions is German public opinion. This is quite a shift for the Pirates, who are generally turning to Germany for advice and assistance. To take on two European powers at once, Lipavský must truly feel that his position is strong. [ Czech Republic minister FAZ Television ]