Saved by the flood
Debate has begun about whether the flood will make or break Acting Prague Mayor Tomáš Hudeček. It's too early to give a definitive answer. How much of the destruction in Northern Bohemia will be laid at his door for being slow to take action upstream, for example? How Hudeček fares will likely be inversely correlated to the way ex-Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda is perceived. Others with their neck on the line are Environment Minister Tomáš Chalupa, Agriculture Minister Petr Bendl and Director Petr Kubala of Povodí Vltavy. Although Pres. Petr Kužel of the Czech Chamber of Commerce (Economic Chamber) has nothing directly to do with the floods, he might be the biggest winner. The high water drowned out all public debate about how the Chamber's members handled allegations against him of conflicts of interest and corruption. It's odd: The same businesspeople who would demand justice if their businesses were looted by thugs during the floods look on as someone does it to their Chamber of Commerce.
Glossary of difficult words
to make or break - to be the factor that decides whether someone or something succeeds or fails;to lay something at someone's door - to blame a problem on someone;
to put one's neck on the line/block - to put one's standing or reputation at risk;
to drown out - to make another sound inaudible by being much louder;
to loot - to steal goods from a place, typically during a war or riot;
thug - a violent person, esp. a criminal; a vandal;
to look on - to watch without getting involved.