Press Review
The implications of the Czech Republic's accession to the European Union are the centre of attention in most of today's newspapers. Mlada Fronta Dnes speculates that the elections to the European Parliament might bring down the government of Vladimir Spidla. The paper says that the outcome of the June elections will be a significant event on the domestic political scene and will have a bearing on the survival of the ruling coalition.
Mlada Fronta Dnes writes that the latest opinion polls suggest that none of the three parties in the governing coalition will do well in the European elections. That could cause a split in the coalition and even within its strongest member, the Social Democrats, the paper speculates.
Lidove Noviny writes that almost half of the Czech population are afraid of the country's accession to the EU - mainly because of rising prices. Approximately the same number of people say they disapprove of the government's tax reform which is going to increase prices of certain goods and services.
On the same topic Mlada Fronta Dnes comments that the Czech government is increasing taxes beyond the requirements of the European Union. As of May, the prices of tap water, sanitary goods, accommodation in hotels and campsites will increase as they will be subject to 19 percent VAT. The same rate will apply to cinema tickets and cable television. None of these increases were required by the European Union.
Pravo reports that Czech officials are taken aback by the reluctance of the current EU member states to accept workers from the Czech Republic. The paper says that the newcomer states regarded free movement of labour as one of the key factors in favour of joining the EU. Pravo discusses the issue with the Czech Republic's ambassador to the EU Pavel Telicka.
Mr Telicka tells Pravo that the changes in attitude of some of the EU countries reflect their internal political situation. According to Mr Telicka, nothing has changed in the Czech Republic as regards migration and labour mobility in the last two and a half years to initiate such measures.
The business daily Hospodarske Noviny analyzes the influence of the chairman of the coalition Christian Democrats Miroslav Kalousek on the coalition government's policies. Mr Kalousek succeeded Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda as head of the party last year and according to the paper he has been influencing governmental policies ever since - without even being a member of the cabinet.
Hospodarske Noviny says that Miroslav Kalousek is playing the virtual role of deputy prime minister for economy, and no important economic decision is made without him. According to the paper Mr Kalousek is satisfied with his current position and shows no intention of joining the cabinet. Hospodarske Noviny quotes Mr Kalousek as saying that with the exception of the communists he is capable of reaching agreement with everybody.
