Kompromat

Journalists and analysts are busy trying to determine who paid for the "kompromat" on the politicians and ČEZmen vacationing in Tuscany. One theory that will gain some acceptance is that this was a very high-level operation, perhaps even directed by foreign intelligence operatives. Until recently, the CR was on course for privatizing ČEZ at some point in the not-so-distant future, with German and Russian interests (whether separately or jointly) being the most likely buyers. The out-of-control behavior of Martin Roman, Mirek Topolánek, Marek Dalík and others has put this scenario at risk. The carbon-credit bill, for example, was an unmitigated PR disaster. Someone very high up might have decided that these loose cannons need to be neutralized. Otherwise, mounting public pressure to bring ČEZ under the direct control of the Czech government could squelch any privatization plans for years to come.