Czech politicians react to President Peter Pavel's first New Year's address. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) praised it as balanced, realistic and encouraging. Likewise revealed and Senate President Miloš Vystrčil (ODS). However, opposition deputy Karel Havlicek (ANO) and SPD opposition leader Tomio Okamura criticized the president's action, saying it was a covert expression of support for Fial's government.
“I appreciate the balanced, realistic and inspiring speech of the President of the Republic. I am glad that we have a similar view on the social and international situation,” the Prime Minister said through a government spokesman. He spoke, letting go of the past and focusing on the future. After years of resentment and malice, a pleasant change, for which I am grateful. She wrote On the X Network, Speaker of the House Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
Instead of uniting, the President divided the community with his speech. He called government critics populists and extremists, Okamura thinks. “Mr President's speech was a speech in favor of Fiala's government and an attempt to bring up the government with whose support Mr President ran for its mistakes and lies,” Okamura said. According to Okamura, the reason for the government's low support is because the government is lying and making bad moves. According to him, the President is jointly responsible for it because he signs its laws.
“While waiting for the President's speech, I got a speech from a pro-government politician. Unnecessary labelling, the complete neglect of the older generation and the incomprehensible call of the euro,” said ANO Shadow Prime Minister Karel Havlicek. To blame the government alone for poor communication is to misunderstand the nature of the problem. The latter lies in inefficiency, from which poor results arise, and which is practically impossible to explain. He jumped on the totally false rhetoric of the Five Alliance, which is based on the belief that they are doing the right things and misrepresenting them,” he added. According to him, the text was written by a supporter of the government who did not realize that most people perceive the situation differently. “The president is supposed to be a non-partisan president. Had the first opportunity to show up, it's a shame he didn't. I positively evaluate how he handled the tragedy at the philosophy faculty, and I loved how he thanked his wife,” Havlicek summed up.
On the other hand, the leader of the KDU-ČSL is Marion Jurecka meaning, many years later, I was able to listen to the president's interesting New Year's speech with references to current events. He also thanked the Head of State for his inspiring words, “Let's be prepared for crisis situations, but don't be paralyzed by fear.”
According to Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartos, the President in his speech looks to the future and gives people encouragement and courage. “It appeals to people from all walks of life, including young people, who are neglected by some politicians. I appreciate the emphasis on solidarity and the anchoring of our institution in the European Union and NATO as a security guarantee, which we support with (Foreign Minister) John Lipowski,” Said Bardos. “The speech had strong faith in the people and their capabilities. I share that with Mr. President,” he added.
Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák (STAN) described the head of state's words as a speech worthy of a president, not insulting and dividing society. “Our country's obligations such as adopting the Euro, Mr. I am glad the President did not forget to mention. We waited a long time. I agree that a common currency is the logical future.” Said Minister Dvorak.
