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Carolina (English) No 295
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STUDENTS' E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC
Faculty of Social Science of Charles University
Smetanovo nabr. 6
110 01 Prague 1
Czech Republic
e-mail: CAROLINA@cuni.cz
tel: (+4202) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+4202) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 295, Friday, June 26, 1998.
FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (June 17-24)
Social Democrats Win Early Parliamentary Elections; Right Has Majority
For the first time since 1989 a left-wing party won elections in
the Czech Republic. The right-wing, however, won a two-seat majority in
Parliament and neither Miroslav Sladek's neo-Fascist Republicans nor
Retirees for Life Security did not fulfill the predictions of
pre-election polls that they would to attain at least the 5 per cent of
the vote necessary to enter Parliament in the early elections June
19-20.
The Czech Social Democrat Party (CSSD) was expected to win the
elections and they did, with 32.3 per cent of the vote and 74 seats in
Parliament, 13 more seats that in the previous elections. Former Prime
Minister Vaclav Klaus' Civic Democratic Party (ODS) placed second with
27.7 per cent of the vote and 63 seats in Parliament, or five less than
in 1996.
The third strongest party in the country remains the Communist
Party with 11 per cent of the vote and and 24 seats in Parliament (up
2 seats), followed by the Christian Democrats with 9 per cent and 20
seats (up 2) in Parliament. The right-wing Freedom Union (US), which was
formed by former members of Klaus' ODS, won 8.6 per cent of the vote and
19 seats in Parliament.
The Social Democrats recorded the largest margin of victory in
northern Moravia, where their ballot was headed by party Chairman Milos
Zeman - they gained 39 per cent, ODS 22.6. Prague voted for Klaus - ODS
42.5 per cent, CSSD 23.4.
Senate elections in the fall of 1996 attracted one-third of the
voting population, but last weekend's elections drew nearly
three-fourths of voters - 74 per cent. The smallest percentage of voters
went to the polls in northern Bohemia, 71 per cent, an area which
traditionally supported the Republicans. This time it was the only
region where they exceeded the 5-per-cent barrier, tallying 6.1 per
cent. The highest voter turnout was in eastern Bohemia, with 79.1 per
cent.
Ondrej Hanzal/Andrea Snyder
Little Hope for Zeman to Put Together Cabinet
Czech President Vaclav Havel asked Milos Zeman, chairman of the
victorious Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD), to form a new Czech
Cabinet June 22. During a press conference Zeman emphasized the
priorities which should serve as a guideline for making the new Cabinet:
the new government shall be stable, it shall have a chance to govern for
the full four years, it shall carry through changes of present policies,
it shall contribute to the revitalization of economic growth, to
lowering the alarming rate of economic and other crime and to the
elimination of some social problems.
Zeman's position is very complicated, because his Social Democrats
are not able to form a majority government with their only available and
acceptable partner, the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL). Chairman Josef
Lux's party strictly ruled out any possibility of participating in
a government silently supported by the Communists, and the Civic
Democratic Party (ODS) and Freedom Union (US) do not want to give any
support to a Social Democrat government. Lux insists on the
participation of Jan Ruml's US in a coalition, despite the clear and
repeated declarations of "no" from the CSSD and US to such an alliance
(Zeman and Ruml are long-time foes).
A big Coalition made up of CSSD and ODS is, according their
representatives, unrealistic, despite recently improved and frequent
communication between chairmen Milos Zeman and Vaclav Klaus.
From an arithmetical perspective the most simple solution seems to
be the formation of an "old-new" coalition of the ODS, KDU-CSL and the
US as a substitute for the Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA). However, the
KDU-CSL dismisses a possibility of such a majority right-wing government
because ODS has not changed its political style, which caused, according
to Lux, the disintegration of the coalition formed after June 1996
elections. Ruml and Klaus are apparently ready to come to an agreement.
The very complicated negotiations will pose a challenge to the
maturity of Czech political leaders and will test their ability to
overcome deep personal prejudices and antipathies.
If Zeman does not succeed in forming a new Cabinet, it will be
Klaus' turn, as declared by both chairmen before their meeting with the
president. Havel met June 22 with the chairmen of all parties elected to
Parliament with the exception of the Communists, whom he did not invite.
Ondrej Hanzal, Erik Tabery/Milan Smid
Election Day in Social Democrat Headquarters
On the morning of June 20 the People's House (Lidovy dum) is
besieged by many television crews from several countries. The
reconstruction of the building is still not finished, a huge white tent
has been built in the courtyard. In the tent many journalists are
crowded together with young Social Democrat activists wearing T-shirts
with the logo of the party's campaign bus, the Zemak. In front of TV
screens showing all four Czech TV channels, television cameras and
photographers' tripods stand in formation. A large white board is
hanging at the back of the tent, displaying a numerical scale on which
cartoon caricatures of party chairmen are standing. On the scale, 30 per
cent is marked with an arrow toward Straka Academy, the seat of the
Czech government.
With the time nearing the closing of the polls at 2 p.m. and with
expectation of the first election predictions on Czech Television, the
journalists' anxiety comes to a head, everybody tries to occupy the best
possible position. When Social Democrat Chairman Milos Zeman arrives,
madness breaks out. Photographers, cameramen and journalists vehemently
start pushing.
The first results are announced. Enthusiasm turns into amazement.
"Where's Ed?" asks a young Social Democrats, looking for data on the
Retirees for Life Security and their Chairman Eduard Kremlicka. The
pensioners are disappearing under the 5-per-cent barrier and with them
the chances for one Social Democrat coalition partner. Zeman answers
journalists' questions and retreats into the building's interior,
leaving the stage exlusively to popular Vice Chairwoman Petra Buzkova,
who gives interviews to all television stations in a T-shirt and pants.
The Social Democrats are surprised by the Civic Democratic Party's
strong showing, and even more by the numbers for the Freedom Union. Vice
Chairman Zdenek Skromach says, "They have to go down."
The faces of Social Democrat leaders betray the knowledge that
a parliamentary majority is eluding them. The situation in the tent
calms down, and the anxiety moves into the offices of the party.
Erik Tabery/Milan Smid, Michael Bluhm
Havel's Letter to Klaus Causes Chaos on Political Scene
On June 17, Czech television station TV NOVA released a June 4
letter written by President Vaclav Havel to Civic Democratic Party (ODS)
Chairman Vaclav Klaus. The television station released the letter just
before the beginning of the 48-hour period before the elections in which
all parties agreed not to campaign or influence voters.
Havel writes in the letter that Social Democrat Chairman Milos
Zeman would not necessarily be the person to create a government in the
event that his party wins the elections.
Many questions have surfaced around the letter. It is not clear why
Havel wrote the letter 3 months after Zeman's claims of exhaustion, when
Zeman had then accepted his party's nomination as their candidate for
prime minister May 5. Also, why was the letter released just before the
48-hour period of political silence began? Another question is how NOVA
got the letter. Head news editor Jan Vavra refused to say who had given
him the letter. Zeman said the letter between Havel and Klaus was
a strange part of the pre-election campaign. Social Democrat Deputy
Pavel Dostal accused Klaus of releasing it to detract from voter
confidence. Klaus said neither the president nor the party leaders
wanted to confuse voters. Klaus said he received the letter by fax,
whereas NOVA released the original. Presidential advisor Jiri Pehe said
it was impossible for the letter to have been leaked from the
president's office and spokesman Ladislav Spacek added that the
president's personal secretary had delivered the letter to Klaus.
Karolina Kucerova/Andrea Snyder
Last Session of "Two-Year" Parliament
"I welcome you to a nostalgic meeting," said Parliament Chairman
Milos Zeman, setting the atmosphere for the last session of Parliament,
which had its mandate shortened by two years because of the early
elections. Some deputies evidently thought they would not be returning
after the elections, and passed the session with a drink in their hand
(Of the 200 deputies of that Parliament, 111 will return). Cameras
flashed and Freedom Union deputy Anton Zima filmed the session. Czech
daily MF DNES caught the farewell of Communist Chairman Miroslav
Grebenicek and neo-Fascist Republican spokesman Jan Vik: "See you soon,"
called Grebenicek to Vik. The Communist leader could not have known he
will not be seeing Vik in Snemovni Street any time soon.
In spite of the nostalgic atmosphere, Parliament managed to
override the president's veto of an amendment to the Lottery Act which
bars foreign companies from holding lotteries or consumer contests.
Surprisingly, members of the Freedom Union, the Civic Democratic Party
and the Christian Democrats supported the xenophobic and discriminatory
amendment.
Erik Tabery/Andrea Snyder
FROM SLOVAKIA
Hans Van den Broek Visits Slovakia
Hans Van den Broek, a member of the European Commission, visited
Bratislava June 17 and called on Slovakia's government to quicken the
preparations for the country's entry into the European Union. The
commission declaration written before Van den Broek's visit says that
"the question is not whether Slovakia will enter the European Union, but
when." The commission's main interest in Slovakia lies in democratic
elections. "It is inevitable that all political parties will have open
access to media to express their opinions freely," said Van den Broek to
the Slovak daily SME.
The commissioner had a working dinner June 17 with Slovak Foreign
Minister Zdenka Kramplova and June 18 met with Prime Minister Vladimir
Meciar, Deputy Prime Minister Jozef Kalman, National Assembly Chairman
Ivan Gasparovic and representatives of the opposition. During the
40-minute meeting between Meciar and Van den Broek, Van der Broek said
they discussed a wide variety of issues. Van den Broek said he expressed
his disappointment over the acceptance of the new Election Act and he
pointed out the poor situation in the protection of minority language
rights which must be resolved and mentioned the confusion over the
nuclear power station in Mochovce. He said he supported the continuing
discussion with the International Agency for Atomic Energy (MAAE). "We
do not want to dramatize the issue unnecessarily; if the experts agree
that everything is allright, we will be satisfied," said Van den Broek
to SME.
Katerina Murlova/Sofia Karakeva
Switzerland Expels Russian Spy Who Cooperated with Slovak Diplomat
Slovak and Russian officials deny allegations that a Russian
diplomat was to pay a member of the Slovak UN mission in Geneva for
information about Slovak security policy and about negotiations between
Slovakia and NATO.
The affair was brought to light by the June 21 edition of the Swiss
daily Sonntags Zeitung, where the Russian diplomat is described as
a Russian intelligence officer. Swiss officials confirmed that the
Russian diplomat was expelled from Switzerland two weeks ago and was
forbidden from returning for 15 years. Switzerland's Justice Ministry
confirmed he was in contact with one or more Slovaks. The spokesperson
of the Slovak Foreign Ministry said to the Slovak daily SME, "Slovak
organs have not received from Switzerland any information about the case
of a Russian diplomat being expelled from Switzerland." He added that
the ministry denies all speculation about Slovak participation in the
affair and considers all accusations unjustified.
The present Slovak diplomatic mission in Geneva has six members. In
1994 though, when the contacts was supposed to be made, only three of
them were present, among them one woman, but the daily Sonntags Zeitung
said the diplomat in question was a male.
Katerina Murlova/Sofia Karakeva
ECONOMY
Domestic Economy Declines
The Statistics Office announced June 19, the first day of elections,
that in the first quarter gross domestic product dropped 0.9 per cent
compared to last year. The information came as a surprise to financial
analysts and politicians.
According to Investment and Postal Bank (Investicni a postovni
banka, IPB) chief economist Jiri Krovak, former Prime Minister Vaclav
Klaus' government could have improved GDP if it had reacted earlier to
economic problems. Trade Minister Karel Kuhnl said that all GDP
forecasts in recent years were adjusted upwards, and that situation will
not change this year, a position confirmed by Ludek Niedermayer, member
of the Czech National Bank's Banking Council.
Social Democrat Chairman Milos Zeman, on the contrary, said the drop
is a result of Klaus' two packages of economic measures last year. "(The
decrease) confirms our warnings against the unsuccessful economy policy
of the previous government," said Zeman to the Czech daily Pravo June
20.
Jakub Svab/Sofia Karakeva
Commerce Bank Has New Leadership
In a general meeting held June 18, Commerce Bank (Komercni banka,
CB) shareholders decided to alter the structure of the company's
management. The changes in leadership, stemming from the bank's poor
results, were announced in advance by Finance Minister Ivan Pilip, whose
ministry controls 48 per cent of the bank's shares through the National
Property Fund (Fond narodniho majetku).
Bank General Director and Civic Democratic Party Senator Richard
Salzmann was recalled by the new board of directors and his place was
taken by former director of the Czech branch of Germany's Hypo-Bank Jan
Kollert. Because two places in the new board of directors are still
open, speculation abounds that the supervisory board will offer one
chair to Prime Minister Josef Tosovsky, former director of the Czech
National Bank.
During the general meeting it was also decided that CNB shareholders
will not receive dividends. As a result of new Czech National Bank
measures, Salzmann said, that require banks to maintain reserves for bad
loans secured by real estate, this year's balance for the bank could
show a loss of billions of crowns.
Jakub Svab/Sofia Karakeva
Exchange Rates at the Czech National Bank
(valid June 26)
country currency
------------------------------------------
Australia 1 AUD 19.823
Belgium 100 BEF 88.559
Great Britain 1 GBP 54.776
Denmark 1 DKK 4.796
ECU 1 XEU 36.167
Finland 1 FIM 6.011
France 1 FRF 5.449
Ireland 1 IEP 45.977
Italy 1000 ITL 18.544
Japonsko 100 JPY 23.286
Canada 1 CAD 22.368
Luxemburg 100 LUF 88.559
IMF 1 XDR 43.786
Hungary 100 HUF 15.110
Netherlands 1 NLG 16.209
Norway 1 NOK 4.316
New Zealand 1 NZD 16.865
Poland 1 PLN 9.467
Portugal 100 PTE 17.838
Austria 1 ATS 2.597
Greece 100 GRD 10.808
Germany 1 DEM 18.270
Slovakia 100 SKK 93.775
Slovenia 100 SIT 19.416
Spain 100 ESP 21.523
Sweden 1 SEK 4.165
Switzerland 1 CHF 21.788
USA 1 USD 32.817
CULTURE
A Century of Czech Cinematography Celebrated in Prague
From June 19 till July 6 at the Prague Fairgrounds (Vystaviste)
film-lovers will have a chance to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the
first film projection in Bohemia. That performance took place on the
occasion of an Architecture and Engineering Exhibition in Jan
Krizenecky's Czech Cinematography Pavilion in 1898.
The main part of the exposition is found in the right wing of the
Industry Palace, organized as a poetic labyrinth in which pieces from
the beginnings of film are on display. Another attraction is a spheric
kaleidoscope, director Raduz Cincera's original audiovisual system,
which shows a program entitled In Honor of Czech Film.
Feature films are being shown as well, in sections for adolescent
spectators, a cycle called Laughing with Czech Film and also dramatic
production, featuring the classics of the 60's. Evenings are dominated
by the section In Honor of Film Personalities, dedicated to significant
Czech directors.
Concomitant activities connected with the anniversary include the
re-release of the musical Ballad for a Bandit into regular distribution,
and a program of short films called How It Started ... And Went on,
prepared by the CinemArt distribution company, is to be presented in
film clubs.
Karolina Kucerova/Denisa Vitkova
Prague to Dance with Arrival of Summer
From June 17 till July 2 the 10th Prague Dance festival is taking
place on various city stages, especially on the Letna Plain and in the
Archa Theater. The festival also includes open-to-the-public
performances on Old Town Square. Prague Dance traditionally gives room
to various dance genres, not only for "pure" dance but also for
performances combining dance with drama, circus, recital and film. This
year, ensembles from Europe, North America, and Asia will perform during
the festival.
The festival was opened by the French circus ensemble Anomalie,
with their Scream of a Chameleon. Because of exceptional audience
interest, the performance took place in the Na Folimance sport hall. The
artists' performance, based on acrobatic and clown elements, was
directed by choreographer Joseph Nadj. Anomalie had been successful with
the show at many festivals and did not disappoint here, as the Prague
audience was very appreciative.
The height of the festival were two performances of the Twyla Tharp
Dance Group called Tharp! June 24-25. The American choreographer Tharp
is noted for her experiments and for her work with Mikhail Baryshnikov
and Milos Forman (Hair, Amadeus).
The Austrian dance theater Pilottanz with their performance Things
from Above (June 18-19), the Swiss group Alias with their choreography
A Man Cannot Hold His Breath All the Time (June 29-30) and the Canadian
ensemble Holy Body Tattoo Dance with their program Our Brief Eternity
(June 25-26) will also perform during the festival. Prague Dance will by
closed by two performances from the Taiwanese ensemble Taipei Dance
Circle entitled Olympics (July 1-2).
Karolina Kucerova/Denisa Vitkova
SPORTS
Wimbledon: Korda Wins, Women Fall
Third-seeded Petr Korda began his play in this year's Wimbledon
with an easy win over Spain's Javier Sanchez. "I was pretty nervous,"
Korda said. Radomir Vasek recorded his first win at Wimbledon against
Germany's Gross. Jiri Novak arrived in London June 22 and tired
Englishman Tim Henman for five sets, but without a victory.
The first round was very disappointing for Czech women. Gersi,
Chladkova, Hrdlickova and Nemeckova altogether won 11 games. Helena
Sukova also could not continue her recent good play and after a rain
delay lost to Switzerland's Schnyder. Only Jana Novotna defeated Sandra
Kleinova to move on.
Czech players' results: 1st round: Vacek - Pozzi (Italy) 7-6, 7-6, 6-3,
Dosedel - Siemerink (Netherlands) 1-6, 4-6, 6-7, Damm - Grossjean
(France) 3-6, 6-7, 3-6, Novak - Henman (Britain, 12) 6-7, 5-7, 7-5,
6-4, 2-6, Korda (3) - Sanchez (Spain) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, Vasek - Gross
(Germany) 7-6, 6-3, 6-1, Ulihrach - Arnold 2-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3.
2nd round: Korda - DeWulf (Belgium) 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, Vasek - Mantilla
(Spain) 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, Ulihrach - Bracciali (Italy) 4-6, 4-6, 6-3,
2-6.
Women: 1st round: Gersi - Carlsson (Sweden) 1-6, 1-6, Nemeckova - Snyder
(United States) 3-6, 0-6, Hrdlickova - Tanasugarn (Thailand) 0-6, 5-7,
Chladkova - Perfetti (Italy) 0-6, 1-6, Novotna (3) - Kleinova 6-2, 6-2,
Sukova - Schnyder (Switzerland, 13) 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, Bobkova - Serna
(Spain) 5-7, 6-4, 1-6.
2nd round: Novotna - Panovova (Russia) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
Sparta Praha Soccer Player Goes to Fiorentina
Sparta Praha and AC Fiorentina representatives agreed June 22 to
defender Tomas Repka's transfer to Firenze for the sum of 8 million USD.
After he passed the Italians' physical, Repka signed a four-year
contract with a two-year option.
Coach Lener Hesitates
Slavomir Lener, candidate for the position of assistant to national
hockey team coach Ivan Hlinka, asked Hlinka to give more time for
a decision. Lener, who has assisted Hlinka in the past, has other offers
including the one from the NHL's Florida Panthers.
Sports by Ondrej Hanzal/Mirek Langer
WEATHER
Summer officially began June 21 just before 5 p.m., although the
weather slyly pretended not to notice, not bothering to change a thing.
The sky clears up once in a while, but the clouds soon dampen that fun.
During the week, days with temperature under 20 degrees Celsius/68
degrees Fahrenheit alternated with tropically sunny moments. The
weather's capriciousness is greater than usual, meaning June 22's
morning cloudburst, midday sizzle and afternoon showers are not at all
exceptional. As the perfect accessories for promenades we recommend
swimming suit, an umbrella and a reasonably warm sweater.
Karolina Kucerova/Mirek Langer
English version edited by Michael Bluhm.
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