Press Review

All the newspapers today devote several pages to the results of the Senate and local elections, describing them as a triumph for independent candidates and a great success for the opposition right-of-centre Civic Democrats led by Vaclav Klaus. The results are clearly a rebound for Klaus and his party which came in second in general elections last June.

The success of independent candidates in the Senate is also particularly interesting to note, considering how they might influence the presidential elections next year: MLADA FRONTA DNES writes that of the eight names in the running for president, the candidate whose chances increased perhaps most over the weekend, were ombudsman Otakar Motejl's.

Also making headlines, the Czech government has cleared up recent confusion concerning the protection of Czech airspace at the NATO summit to take place in Prague later this month. LIDOVE NOVINY writes that in the end Czech skies will be monitored by American F-16s, along with outdated Czech MiGs, light subsonic fighters, and helicopters. There was certain confusion last week as to whether the Czech government would be able to come to an agreement with American partners over soldiers' accountability.

But a new law approved on Sunday waives accountability for American pilots in case of an accident or military strike. The paper quotes Defence Minister Jaroslav Tvrdik as saying the U.S. had praised Czech preparations for the summit, shirking criticism that air defence had been embarrassingly left to the last minute.

Staying with LIDOVE NOVINY the paper notes that over the weekend David Rath was re-elected as the head of the Czech Medical chamber, defeating opponents who had contended that the medical chamber unfairly favoured certain doctors and medical professionals while intruding excessively in the functioning of the medical union. In the end, however, the vote went in favour of Mr Rath's vision, which is one of continued chamber interaction in the unions.

However, the paper writes, Mr Rath does says there is room for debate within the chamber on other points of view. In an interview in the paper Mr Rath says that the individual is central to the chamber's vision, with experience and know-how counting for more than medical property and equipment.

Another item making HOSPODARSKE NOVINY this Monday is the return of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac to the stage of the National Theatre after twenty-eight years. The play premiered at the National Theatre over the weekend.

HOSPODARSKE NOVINY writes that the new production, based on the classical translation by Jaroslav Vrchlicky from 1898, has gotten off with great success for the National Theatre's new director, Michal Docekal. In terms of the play the paper praised the strength of actor David Prachar's Cyrano, noting his strong projection, and his attention to detail, adding that his interpretation of the role encompassed a fine measure of pathos, merriment and romance, traditional to the role.