Painter returns decoration in protest against Klaus

Prague, March 3 (CTK) - Czech painter Pavel Brazda, 86, has returned a medal of merit that he had received in 2008 to outgoing President Vaclav Klaus in protest against Klaus's recent attitudes and steps, he told CTK Sunday.

According to available information, Brazda has been the only person who returned a state decoration since 1989.

"I consider the work of Mr Vaclav Klaus in the presidential post detrimental. His attitudes and steps from the last few months definitively convinced me about it," Brazda said.

He said one of the main reasons why he returned the medal were Klaus's sharp statements about late president Vaclav Havel.

Among others, Klaus recently called Havel an extreme leftist who was breaking down the existing human order.

Brazda said he also disliked Klaus's negative stance on the European Union, his views of environmental affairs and his strong affinity to Russia.

Klaus has been known as a fierce critic of EU integration and environmentalist policies.

Brazda said Klaus has eventually become a deterrent example of a president.

Brazda is considered to be one of the most significant Czech painters of the late 20th century.