ČSSD's refugee trap

27.07.2016 - EB

ČSSD has been trying to have it both ways with refugees. It's been toadying up to its partners in Brussels and Berlin by going along with EU programs, while at home it's tried to placate wary voters by assuring them that the CR won't be overrun. Bohuslav Sobotka was one of the first to voice support for Angela Merkel's deal with Turkey, and Tomáš Prouza declared a month ago that the deal was so successful that we need similar ones in Africa and the Middle East. Much has since changed, with the coup attempt in Turkey and the nearly daily attacks in Europe. ČSSD will lose votes if it continues to play the middle ground, esp. with Andrej Babiš going the full Trump against refugees. It's a risky situation for Sobotka. If he turns more against refugees and stops giving Brussels what it wants in terms of integration and centralized power, the EU Commission will no longer have a reason to turn a blind eye to all the shenanigans of ČSSD a.s.

Glossary of difficult words

to have it both ways - to satisfy two opposing groups or opinions;

to toady (up) - to act in an obedient or attentive way to an excessive or servile degree;

to placate - to make (someone) less angry or hostile;

wary - feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems;

to overrun - to spread over or occupy (a place) in large numbers;

to go the full... - to do something in a specific way to a full extent;

to turn a blind eye - to pretend not to notice;

shenanigans - secret or dishonest activity or maneuvering.



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