Zeman, Sobotka and the next five years
As anyone who carefully follows Czech news should already know, President Miloš Zeman told Deník and its sister publication Passauer Neue Presse that the CR could join the eurozone within about five years. This was exalted by those who favor greater Czech participation in the EU integration process and pilloried by those who thought Zeman was trying to co-opt another decision that belongs to someone else. The FT, somewhat dubiously, credited Zeman with opening a debate about the common currency that has been "moribund for years." There's also a much less eurocentric way to look at the matter. ČSSD Chair Bohuslav Sobotka wrote in MFD on April 6 that the CR will "most certainly not become a member of the eurozone in the next five years." The CR is not ready, he said, and eurozone members aren't prepared to accept it. Two weeks later, Zeman said he thinks the CR could indeed join within about five years. So, was Zeman being an EU visionary, or was he looking for another excuse not to appoint Sobotka as the next PM?
Glossary of difficult words
to exalt something - to think or speak highly of something;to pillory - to attack or ridicule publicly;
to co-opt something - to adopt (an idea or policy) for one's own use;
dubiously - doubtfully;
moribund - in terminal decline; lacking vitality or vigor;
eurocentric - focusing on European culture, history or policy to the exclusion of a wider view of the world.