Blunt impertinence

Since the formation of a new government in the neighbouring Czech Republic, similarly as in the Slovak case, causing the largest political party to be left out from government, the social-democratic party ČSSD organised a get-together in the city of Olomouc, to reflect on the current status, the future of (Czech) social democracy and making up a balance. 

Initially, I hardly followed the event, but decided to watch with a half eye a live-transmission. It must be admitted, that the fact that the party had the 'professional' courage to invite also non-party experts to a discussion forum, where outsider opinions were heard, and in all honesty, the party officials seemed genuinely interested. Well why not, if your objectives haven't materialised, a proper manager should always weigh all possibilities, even (or especially) if the sound is from a non-aligned corner. 

Although some politicians - especially former finance minister Sobotka - fell back into a ranting how bad the others are, what A or B said or did, instead coming with an explanation why the current government is making the wrong choices; what social economic impact will it have? Simply call it a bad choice is hardly a convincing argument, and it gives the attentive audience rather a feeling that the leadership is not able to formulate arguments or alternative solutions.

This gesture has expectedly never taken place in Slovakia, where Mr Fico up to this very day is continuously howling over his lost throne, and even more; criticising exactly what his government has done or consequently caused in fact.

The more was the surprise, to read this morning in the newspaper, that Mr Fico appeared as a speaker on this happening. OK, why not. However, his speech's contents is more than impertinent; portraying a complete opposite of his role in the past. An ex-prime minister, who trampled on every minimal democratic principle, whose government looted the state finance treasure, talking about having 'humane' values. It is a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde syndrome; unfortunately not fictional. The mere fact that Fico dares to take words like traditional values or being humane into his mouth is a slap in the face. One can only remain dumbfounded.