President lists reasons for optimism in Christmas address

In his annual Christmas address to the nation, President Milǒs Zeman suggested that positive news had outweighed the bad in 2016 when it came to domestic economic growth. He used the analogy of a glass being half full as opposed to half empty, softly chiding Czechs for being famously skeptical and suggesting there was reason to be optimistic, citing the increase of the average monthly wage, improvement in old age pensions, low unemployment, improved tax collection and a balanced budget or surplus. As negatives, Mr Zeman listed the continuation of certain social benefits; he was also highly critical of support for solar energy.

Regarding the international scene, the president expressed regret over the results of the Brexit in 2016 - Great Britain's decision to leave the EU. He rejected, as he has in the past, migrants being allowed the country which he suggested could create conditions for attacks, referring to the recent Christmas market attack in Berlin. But he said that the Czech Republic was otherwise willing to help abroad, including countries which had born the brunt of the migrant crisis. In his address, Mr Zeman also mentioned the election of Donald Trump in the US, saying he hoped it would lead to closer ties between the Czech Republic and the United States. In connection with the US election, he suggested the media had largely been biased against the businessman, now president-elect.

Author: Jan Velinger