Interview With Jan Svejnar
“It is time to unblock our political scene” says Jan Svejnar for Alexander Kramer, Pravo 22-12-2007. We give you the shortened English version here. Who is Svejnar?
Mr. Professor, when you say you’ll bring Vaclav Klaus down, don’t you just give us that ‘American’ strong rhetoric?
It is not just rhetoric, I believe myself – I have a strong support of the CSSD, SZ and two senate clubs. And I suppose the trend in will grow.
It seems the votes of the communist party will be the decisive ones. Do you think you get them?
At least I think I represent for them the ‘lesser evil’. I have a deeply social feeling. The basic difference between me and Vaclav Klaus is I say there are things that the market can’t do, and for social wealth it is necessary to support the market with suitable state solutions.
Communists definitely don’t like you for the Radar…
Vaclav Klaus is for the radar too! But Klaus sees it as a part of our relationship with the USA, meanwhile I see it as a part of NATO and EU inter-relations.
You have said: “To win over Vaclav Klaus is in the interest of the Czech Republic”. Why?
OK, I’ll come back to what I’ve already said: we live in the fast-globalizing world, in more and more competitive environment. The best strategy, how to further our interests, is to actively participate on all the actions which are in progress now. And what is Klaus’ relation to the EU, is well-known.
Does Vaclav Klaus harm the reputation of the Czech Republic?
I’ll leave this on you and your readers. But if you look at how his various statements are commented in the world, the answer suggests itself.
Are you for or against Prague Olympics?
Only in the case we could organize it in a way it wouldn’t be a financial loss. If we couldn’t, we should postpone the candidacy.
Tolerance of people who believe or don’t believe in God is apparent in civilized countries. Are you an atheist, who tolerates believers, or vice versa?
I’m somewhere in the middle. That means – I’m an agnostic – a person, who on question, whether God exists or not, answers: I don’t know.
Why do you want to become the president, Mr professor?
In America, people are educated in a way to believe in ideals and service for the community is regarded as something that deserves respect. Definitely there is also personal satisfaction that a good job gives to a man.
Does the presidential post have something magical inside for you?
Yes, I can’t deny that. But still, in some phases of my life, I would have to turn the offer down. Now I am in a situation that I can afford that and at the same time I think I am able to do good for the Czech Republic.
Theme: Elections
- ODS Congress – Go on Without Klaus, Bem [December 8 2008, 09:24 AM]
- ODS elects the new leader today [December 5 2008, 09:38 AM]
- Topolanek – Bem 7:0 in the half-time [December 1 2008, 13:32 PM]
- The Communist Party returns to Power. Slowly, steadily. [November 14 2008, 15:06 PM]
- Bem to became the new leader of ODS? [October 29 2008, 12:39 PM]
- Senate elections in CR – Again, CSSD won [October 27 2008, 08:43 AM]
- Reasons why ODS lost the regional elections [October 21 2008, 13:13 PM]
- Topolanek taking Fire [October 21 2008, 11:41 AM]
- Is Bem going to Big league politics? [October 20 2008, 11:50 AM]
- CSSD Crushing win in Regional Elections [October 20 2008, 09:38 AM]
- Local Government Election in CR: Even [October 13 2008, 09:49 AM]
- The winning leader of the Greens is Bursik [September 8 2008, 11:54 AM]
- Congress of the Czech Greens started [September 5 2008, 16:54 PM]
- The new Leader of Czech Greens will be Who? [September 4 2008, 13:41 PM]
- Pool: If elections were now, CSSD would win [June 10 2008, 17:25 PM]
- Havel appealed to Prague: Do not vote for ODS [June 2 2008, 09:58 AM]
- Vaclav Klaus - The Winner of Discreditable Elections [February 19 2008, 14:36 PM]
- Vaclav Klaus re-elected president of the Czech Republic [February 18 2008, 17:46 PM]
- 2nd Round of Elections; Who will be the next Czech President? [February 15 2008, 10:54 AM]
- Presidential Elections and Role of Communists [February 12 2008, 16:09 PM]
- 1st Round of CR Presidential Elections: Klaus was close [February 11 2008, 08:38 AM]
- 1st Round of Czech Presidential elections tomorrow [February 7 2008, 18:00 PM]
- Svejnar: I am ahead in opinion polls [February 6 2008, 13:38 PM]
- Czech Republic Presidential Elections in four days [February 4 2008, 09:55 AM]
- The first Klaus vs Svejnar duel [January 30 2008, 17:06 PM]
Comments
Time Navigation
- Newer articles:
- Older articles:
- All articles published on January 4, 2008
- List of articles published in January 2008
It seems like Svejnar may have a chance to win after all! He claims that Klaus is not liked by the EU…well, he is well-liked here, in the US!
Great article I think I am going to link it to my post!