Dictator on a leash
ČSSD Chair Jiří Paroubek complained to the Council on Czech Competitiveness last month that the media accuse him of being a dictator but that he can't even convince his own party to fulfil the country's Nato commitment in Afghanistan. This comment neatly sidesteps the issue of whether Paroubek does in fact harbor dictatorial proclivities but suggests that his party might be able to rein them in if he does. After Paroubek told the European Banking & Financial Forum in March that greater regulatory efforts are needed for bringing bank fees down to usual European levels, Bohuslav Sobotka of ČSSD said that the objective is to improve consumer protection, not regulate fees. When Paroubek announced a boycott of five media outlets yesterday, some of his party colleagues immediately broke it. Voters will have to take on trust that such corrective measures will continue after the elections.
Glossary of difficult words
to be on a (short) leash - to be kept under control or restraint;neatly - done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency;
to sidestep - to avoid dealing with or discussing something problematic or disagreeable;
to harbor - to keep (a thought or feeling) in one's mind, esp. secretly;
proclivity - a tendency or inclination (usually of a negative nature);
to rein in - to control and direct as if with reins;
five media outlets - HN, LN, MFD, Respekt, Reflex;
to take on trust - to accept that something is true through trust.