interview Prime Minister, does the government have enough power to meet the priorities for the upcoming period? “The government has only been working for eight months, and it would be sad if they already felt exhausted regarding the completion of their program priorities. On the contrary, we are able to fulfill our program priorities in accordance with the legislative plan of government, which only encourages our efforts and our process for the coming years. The first successful phase of government activities is behind us, with the recent adoption of the important Civil Service Law. This should lead to a more professional and better definition of roles between politicians and public officials in the implementation of government policy. In addition, we will be allowed to draw the European Union’s money needed to implement a series of economic, social and environmental projects for the next period. Since its establishment, the government managed to take dozens of important measures in these areas. I consider most important those that promote investments and the creation of jobs.Already the establishment of the new government and subsequent pacification of the political situation in our country has encouraged the activities of domestic and foreign investors. Czech Republic has again started to see economic growth, and government policy further supports this trend. However, everything that the government is doing is in line with 3 main goals: to restore the standard functions of the state, to ensure the “healthy” development of the country, and to ensure a dignified life for its citizens. We must earn back the people’s trust in this state. “ Have the current priorities of the government actually changed during the summer months? Has an international agenda with subsequent economic consequences become increasingly important? “Yes, soon after the establishment of the government, significant remarks about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict appeared on the agenda in the area of foreign policy. As a member of the European Union, we are trying, along with others, to find the most appropriate approach to prevent any escalation, and contribute to a solution for this crisis as soon as possible. The policy maintains an effective combination of sanctions against Russia, as Russia certainly bears the greatest responsibility for the outbreak of this conflict. We will also use all possible forms of diplomatic negotiations along with the participation of all relevant actors - Russia, Ukraine, the EU and the USA. The aim must be to preserve the integrity of Ukraine, end all of Russia’s interferences into the internal affairs of the country, and ensure democratic development. “ What have you observed after the Czech enforcement of anti-Russian sanctions? Will there indeed be a “second round” of sanctions so damaging for the Czech economy, particularly for engineering exports? “First I want to say that no matter how Czech Republic supported the policy of EU procedures towards Russia, I have always agreed with the Prime Ministers of the Member states who primarily sought diplomatic solutions. Especially when it appears that the sanctions affect the member countries
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more than Russia itself, and that they don’t weaken Russia, but rather strengthen the national position of the Russian leadership, so its aggressive behaviour towards Ukraine continues. Regarding the selective and cautious attitude of the Czech Republic to the escalation of sanctions against Russia, a similar position has been taken by other member countries - Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Italy and more. With this perspective we are certainly not alone in the EU, so it is not specifically Czech. It is natural that I, as the Prime Minister, tried to influence the structure of the proposed sanctions in order to minimise damage to the Czech Republic. And I’m glad I succeeded in this effort. In this regard, I reject accusations by the rightwing opposition that our country is not sufficiently loyal to the EU on the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. I smile when these accusations come from those who have recently thwarted our membership of the EU at every turn. It was my government that fine-tuned and confirmed our relationship with the EU. Czech Republic has gained respect in the EU again, which was lost as a result of the policies of previous right-wing governments. As regards the situation in Eastern Europe, it is necessary to assure our allies in NATO that all the safety guarantees are constantly valid, while it would be very unfortunate if the crisis grows into a latent Cold War between the EU and Russia, and in the east of Ukraine we see a new form of the Iron Curtain. “ The first “stress” test of the government parties were the May elections to the European Parliament. In the media you said that you are not satisfied with the results. Have you analysed the causes of a record low voter turnout within the party? “I am always satisfied with winning, so logically I am satisfied with the results of the last elections to the EP. On the other hand, I cannot say that the Social Democrats lost significantly; the results for the first three parties were close in regards to votes, as all of them - ANO, TOP 09 and the Social Democrats - received an equal four seats. While in 20082013 the Social Democrats won all parliamentary, senatorial, regional and municipal elections, in the European elections they have not been so successful
yet. Why? Without a doubt the important factors this year were the record low voter turnout, and as always in the case of the European elections, the absence of potential voters for the Social Democrats. These voters are more Eurosceptic than eg. voters for rightwing parties, as they show less interest in European issues, and they are less confident that the political agenda of the EU can somehow significantly improve their personal lives. They definitely prefer domestic political issues. I do not want their Euroscepticism to be solely blamed on the policy of the previous rightwing governments, especially the government ODS that systematically cultivated euroscepticism. It is now up to the government, meaning the governing Social Democrats, to prove to our voters that membership in the EU will benefit our country, and we must make them feel it in their personal lives. But it is not just the responsibility of the Social Democrats. Most essential is the policy of the Social Democratic policy fraction in EP, which has to bring Europe closer to the ordinary people of member countries, which generally means strengthening the European social agenda. In other words, the European Union has to become not only a well-integrated economic union, but also an integrated social union. “ Do you fear a low voter turnout even in the upcoming municipal elections? How can electoral abstention be prevented? And does it affect efforts to attract voters in your campaign? “I am not afraid of low participation of our voters in the upcoming municipal elections, and I suppose we will see a significantly higher turnout than in the elections to the EP. Unlike the European issues, domestic issues are in general much closer to voters’ hearts. Domestic issues directly affect the places in which people live and work, and so those people feel that their vote can affect their situation. “ What are your priorities for the municipal elections? “Our electoral strategy is based on the successes and election commitments that combine at a municipal and state level. Regarding the municipal level, there are our electoral programs “tailored”
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