Shattered illusions of Sobotka II

The ghost of Milan Chovanec is still at the center of Czech politics. ČSSD's insistence on regaining control of the interior ministry led to the collapse of government talks between ANO and ČSSD, even if much of the media continue to present it otherwise. About half of the main Czech media are still under the influence or direct control of what we call ČSSD a.s., and they can't be expected to explain how ČEZ, OKD, MUS, police reform, Beretta and other open cases influenced ČSSD's last-minute negotiating priorities. The public at large, therefore, can't be expected to grasp what is going on. Diplomats, however, are more sophisticated; they look beyond the bluster. Some of the CR's European partners were excited about a "Sobotka II" government of ANO and ČSSD and are disappointed it hasn't worked out. Their eyes have now been opened. They never had any illusions about Andrej Babiš; now their illusions about the "good guys" from ČSSD have been shattered.