Klaus warns of difficult year ahead in annual address

President Václav Klaus has given his annual New Year’s address to the nation. Mr Klaus said that a poor atmosphere in society and mutual distrust was worsening, partly due to various advocacy groups trying to acquire benefits for themselves at the expense of others. The country, he said, is unable to find political leaders because it reins in, rather than supports, those who step out of line. While noting that the Czech Republic was more stable than other countries of the EU, the president said that Czechs must fundamentally alter their approach and not increase their needs if the economy does not allow it. The coming year, he said, would not be an easy one, and the country will need further, speedy reforms to its political, economic and social system.