Klaus: Current West disappointing, returns to socialism

Prague, Sept 7 (CTK) - Present-day Europe and the whole West are returning to socialism and state-controlled society after the promising changes that followed the fall of communism in eastern Europe, Czech President Vaclav Klaus said at a conference of the Mont Pelerin Society Friday.

He said the loss of traditional values, populism of democratic politicians and the growing power of courts, NGOs and media are among the serious problems that threaten liberal democracy and the market economy.

He said the current world is a disappointment for him, who actively participated in the preparation and organisation of radical political and economic changes after the fall of communism in 1989.

He said current society is much more socialist and state-controlled than people imagined then.

Klaus called on the critics of the current situation in western states to talk much more loudly and to be pushing for freedom more actively.

He said he did not expect the defence of the ideas of capitalism, free market and a minimal state to be so weak.

Klaus started the Prague meeting of the Mont Pelerin Society at Prague Castle, his seat.

The conference moderator welcomed him as a persistent defender of democracy and hero of the post-communist era.

He asked Klaus to retain the traditional, non-efficient light bulbs at Prague Castle because else the Castle will no longer be the same.

The Spanish Hall, in which the conference is held, is lit up by chandeliers with hundreds of light bulbs.

Klaus has criticised the EU measure providing for the production of energy-efficient light bulbs, saying it is a symbol of the EU's interference in the freedoms of citizens.