In Magazine: a jailed MP works overtime to improve the Czech legal system; a new angle on the Mikulas festivities: who wants sweets from St. Nicolas when you can get coal from the Devil, why is the Czech foreign minister sporting a punk, purple hairdo and, a novelty on the Czech scene: parking places for women.
Photo: Karel Schwarzenberg's presidential campaign website
The presidential election campaign is in full swing and in view of the approaching Christmas holidays many candidates have opted for a lighter touch. Presidential hopeful Vladimir Franz, whose face and body are covered with tattoos and whose image has aroused widespread debate, has posted a colouring book on the web for people to “fill in the blank spots” and create their own image of him. Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, who is likewise running for office, has nodded to an avant-garde T-shirt created by artist David Černý in which Mr. Schwarzenberg appears with a punk purple hairdo. Jan Fischer, former vice president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has proved rather more conservative opting for a Christmas star stamped with his Christmas wishes, while the others are at least offering voters their memoirs as a heart-warming Christmas gift. The presidential race is expected to heat up over Christmas mingling with the traditional Christmas concerts, fairytales and last-minute shopping frenzy.
Photo: archive of ČRo 7 - Radio Prague
Czechs are not likely to get much respite from political and economic problems over the Christmas holidays and even the pre-Christmas Mikuláš festivities were an indication of this. Mikuláš traditionally marks the start to the holiday season with three figures – St. Nicolas, a devil and an angel -making the rounds to reward children who have been good with small gifts and fruit. Naughty children are given a few lumps of coal by the devil. In a cartoon that appeared in the papers on Mikuláš Day this year St. Nicolas is seen conferring with the devil and saying “times have changed, this year we are handing out coal as a reward” - an allusion to growing electricity prices.
David Rath, photo: Filip Jandourek
MP David Rath who has spent the last five months in custody awaiting trial on corruption charges has been exceedingly busy. The former health minister and central Bohemian governor who was caught with a wine box crammed with seven million crowns in cash and accused of embezzling EU funds, has refused to resign his seat in the lower house and has been working overtime in his cell to improve the Czech legal system. In the past five months he has produced draft amendments to four laws, pertaining to conditions in prisons for people in custody and serving time, and most recently a proposal for insurance-covered contraceptives for girls between 15 and 18 and for women on welfare and a proposal to increase taxes for big companies. Although the jailed MP does not attend Parliament sessions his proposals get the same treatment as from any other, they will be debated by the government and then tabled for debate in the lower house.
Photo: Filip Jandourek
The government’s austerity measures are impacting decision making at all levels. The justice ministry is now pushing for state attorney’s offices and courthouses to buy furniture made by prisoners in jailhouses. Although the furniture is often more expensive than that made by professional companies the money is considered well-spent since it helps prisoners to pay their victims compensation or help finance their time in jail. It also helps the underfinanced prison service. Just to set the record straight, state attorneys and judges will not be sitting on bumpy rickety chairs for a good cause. Apparently the furniture produced by prisoners can compete with the best on the market and the country’s chief state attorney has already said he will be happy to comply with the request. The spokesperson for the Prague City Court has confirmed likewise and so many repeat offenders may find themselves sitting in a courtroom that looks very familiar.
Illustrative photo: archive of ČRo 7 - Radio Prague
Having said that, not everyone is skimping because of the economic crisis: readers of the most popular tabloid daily Blesk were angered to find that although their own grocery bills were soaring, the government canteen was serving lunches at prices that beggars could afford. The paper printed a day’s menu where a soup cost under 7 crowns, and a stake with potato salad 27 crowns, the latter being approximately a dollar and a half. A government spokesman intending to diffuse public outrage only made matters worse by explaining that the meals were government subsidized and the prices had recently gone up. Most of the debate around the article is not publishable, but one of the more polite readers said: well, so now we know why the prime minister is growing a third chin.
Illustrative photo: archive of ČRo 7 - Radio Prague
Parking places for women have appeared at some McDonald’s eateries in Prague. Although the novelty elicited the inevitable jokes about women and parking, it has been generally well-received. The parking places are close to the entrance and in well-lit places increasing women’s and children’s safety. Although many women were unaware of the change and by-passed the specially marked parking lots most welcomed the move and said they would be happy to use them after dark. Much will now depend on whether male drivers who like to park close to the entrance for convenience’ sake will be gallant enough to leave them empty.
Illustrative photo: archive of ČRo 7 - Radio Prague
The Prague Zoo is sending Britain’s Queen Elizabeth three white baby pelicans as a gift. The birds will grace St. James Park in London where they are a popular attraction. Since the mid-90s Prague Zoo has sent nine white pelicans to London altogether, establishing a tradition. Troja Zoo is one of the most successful European breeders of these exotic birds having bred over 120 young in its history.
