Column: Czechia Overrun by "Alternative Zeros" in Power

This opinion column draws a comparison between the governing style of certain Czech politicians and dictatorial practices of the past — from Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who meddled without any preparation in science, philosophy and linguistics, to the recent Turkmen dictator Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, author of 35 books on the most varied subjects, including one about tea that he handed out to subordinates as a precious gift.

The author draws a parallel with Czech politician Petr Macinka, who began his career as an official alongside former president Václav Klaus Sr. and, in the columnist's view, lacks the proper qualifications for his current post — unlike Berdimuhamedow, who at least held a dentistry degree.

Particular attention is paid to Macinka's public appearance in connection with the so-called "Pokorná case," where, the author observes, the politician's nervousness betrayed itself through involuntary leg movements — a detail the columnist likens to Vladimir Putin's behaviour during the December 2019 talks in Paris, when Volodymyr Zelensky refused to sign agreements unfavourable to Ukraine.

The column warns that the rise to power of people lacking professional qualities ("zeros") leads to purges and the departure of experienced staff — referring in particular to the situation at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The author's ultimate conclusion: if this trend continues, the country will end up run by unprincipled and incompetent figures, and Czechia's international standing risks being reduced to zero.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz