Czech, Slovak prime ministers criticize influence of business on politics

The Czech and Slovak prime ministers, Bohuslav Sobotka and Robert Fico, have criticized the influence of business on politics. Mr Sobotka, who appeared along with his Slovak counterpart in a debate on Czech TV on Sunday, said entrepreneurs had discredited political parties. Both cabinet leaders suggested transparent financing of political parties could help curb business people’s influence on politics. The Czech prime minister also expressed disagreement with President Miloš Zeman who has questioned the brutality the communist police used against protesters on November 17, 1989. Mr Sobotka said the operation was “extraordinarily brutal” and should not be trivialized.

Author: Jan Richter