Demonstrating his liberal mores, Topolánek went for a photo shoot for a gay magazine. But the magazine also taped and published the chat he had with the journalists. He was asked what he thinks about gays, to which he responded by telling about the openly gay transport minister that "if he meets strong resistance, he rather avoids conflict". And then added, regarding PM Fischer, "because he is a Jew, he avoids conflict even more -- this has to do with his character"...
Topolánek apologised since, and insisted that he was quoted out of context (how?...). Curiously, Radio Pragie reports only the third controversy on these taped comments, his negative remarks regarding organised church.
News - 21-03-2010 08:39 - Radio Prague
Topolánek angered by publication of off the record comments about the Church Former Czech prime minister Mirek Topolánek has reacted angrily to the publication of off the record comments he made during a photo shoot for a gay magazine. The website blesk.cz posted a video recording from the photo session in which the Civic Democrats chairman says the Church brainwashed its followers and made idiots out of the masses. Mr Topolánek said he resented the fact than an informal interview had been made public, saying he had actually proclaimed strong links to Christianity. He said he had not wished to offend either the contemporary Church or worshippers. The photos were being taken to accompany an interview Mr Topolánek gave to the gay magazine LUI.
Former Czech prime minister Mirek Topolánek has reacted angrily to the publication of off the record comments he made during a photo shoot for a gay magazine. The website blesk.cz posted a video recording from the photo session in which the Civic Democrats chairman says the Church brainwashed its followers and made idiots out of the masses. Mr Topolánek said he resented the fact than an informal interview had been made public, saying he had actually proclaimed strong links to Christianity. He said he had not wished to offend either the contemporary Church or worshippers. The photos were being taken to accompany an interview Mr Topolánek gave to the gay magazine LUI.
At first glance a party who is blocking elections, never mind the circumstances, is not a great look for democracy in my viewpoint, and it can easily be spun like that in media narratives. I hope that hasn't happened much now Topolánek has gloriously grabbed the spotlight of the media all by himself.
Thanks for the update.
Indeed.
Czech Social Democratic Party - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The election at first caused a stalemate since the right-wing parties (with Green Party) and left-wing parties each had 100 seats. The stalemate was broken when two ČSSD deputies, Miloš Melčák and Michal Pohanka abstained during a vote of confidence, allowing a coalition of the Civic Democrats (ODS), the Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL), and the Green Party (SZ) to form a government.
BTW, ET reported last August the previous constitutional court ruling against the new elections decree following Melčák's complaint. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
