Ťok vs. Pokorný

Yesterday's debate about the replacement of Antonín Prachař as transport minister centered on the potential conflict of interest of his designated successor, GM Dan Ťok of Skanska. Clearly Ťok must cut himself off from his old employer, and in this respect Andrej Babiš's quip about how his own company is being disadvantaged by his presence in the government might actually be true in the case of Skanska. Every contract Skanska receives from the ministry will be carefully scrutinized. What yesterday's debate completely ignored is how Ťok's appointment affects lawyer Radek Pokorný, whom many people considered the real transport minister (if not prime minister). If Babiš is serious about cleaning up the transportation sector, the appointment of a minister with a reputation for being honest could destroy Pokorný's business model. Far more important than how Ťok deals with Skanska will be how he deals with Pokorný.