Current and former presidents criticize hostile tone of Czech election campaign

Both President Václav Klaus and his predecessor in office, Václav Havel, have criticized the aggressive tone of campaigning ahead of May’s general elections. In an interview for Euro magazine, Mr. Klaus said that the campaign was full of empty slogans, foolish billboards and inappropriate personal attacks. He also warned voters against supporting newly founded parties such as TOP 09, stating that their political programs were vague and void of content. In an interview for the Týden weekly, Mr. Havel said that for most people, politics had become synonymous with something suspicious and that a shake-up in Czech politics would greatly benefit the country. He added that in the Czech Republic, such shake-ups take place with each new generation, once every twenty years. Mr. Havel himself has made it clear that he supports the Green Party in May’s general elections.

Author: Sarah Borufka