Muted reactions to president’s Christmas message

The reactions to President Zeman’s first Christmas message in office are muted. Social Democrat leader Bohuslav Sobotka described it as “self-reflecting and conciliatory” saying it was understandable that the head of state had used the opportunity to assess his first year in office and explain some of his decisions to the public. Christian Democrat leader Pavel Belobradek described the address as “non-conflicting and suited to the occasion” while ANO deputy chair Vera Jourova and Communist Party leader Vojtech Filip both pointed out that the speech lacked vision and fresh goals for the future.