Czech Politics at Its Finest

With the parliamentary elections approaching next week, the city is plastered in the usual "Vote for us" flyers and billboards. All the ads have appeared to be the positive, non-mudslinging type. Upon asking students and other locals, it's been told to me that most of the advertising done has been on the level.

However...

Perusing the news the other day, I came across an article on the BBC labelled Czech politicians exchange blows, and intrigued, read the article. Apparently the Minister of Health, David Rath, has gotten into a bit of a fray with this man Miroslav Macek, who is not a politician per se, but does have close ties with one particular political party, and is readily associated with them.

Apparently Rath made a comment about Macek marrying his latest wife only for her money, and Macek's reply was captured during a meeting of dentists here in Prague.

Here's the YouTube video. Pretty wild stuff.


I have gotten mixed reaction from my students about the nature of both Rath and Macek, aside from the fact that they're both pretty "out there." Some people really despise Rath for some of his moves with the health care system in the last couple years. Others agree with his decisions, and really admire his direct (though occasionally confrontational) way of dealing with issues. In any case, both Rath and Macek have been touted as loud-mouthed debils (idiots) by most everyone I have spoken to.

Enjoy.