Sobotka calls on party members not to air arguments in media

The leadership of the opposition Social Democratic Party has called on its members and functionaries to focus more on the upcoming communal and Senate elections and not to air personal disputes in the media. The request on Friday was made by the party’s acting leader Bohuslav Sobotka. Earlier this week two prominent Social Democrats – South Moravia’s regional governor Michal Hašek and Central Bohemian governor David Rath – traded barbs. Mr Hašek accused Rath of creating discord in the party, labelling him the Kraken – a sea monster from Greek mythology. Mr Rath, in turn, called Hašek’s choice of words “vulgar”. The Social Democrats are trying to take a different tack in the upcoming elections after winning only a Pyrrhic victory in the national election earlier this year.