Even today, Deputy Miloš Melčák is convinced that his constitutional complaint has helped the Czech Republic. However, he remains reticent about his next steps.
Mr Melčák, will you support the constitutional amendment that will make early elections possible?
I haven’t decided yet. Let me go and work. I don’t like HN, I don’t like what you’ve written about me.
I wrote that. But only because you were refusing to talk to me. So tell me at least now why you haven’t been answering phones in the past days and why you pretended that you weren’t at home at your official flat?
I turned off my phone, because I wanted politicians to act. The way they acted. That was ideal, wasn’t it? I wanted them to act further on their own. It was a kind of a tactic. Mr Kalvoda was providing answers while I turned off my phone for a while. Otherwise, I was living a normal life.
What would you like to happen now?
I’m not thinking at all now about what I’d like. Let the Constitutional Court act now. Let things go their own way. I think that so much has been said, broadcast by the media and written in newspapers that it’s time now to give the floor to the Constitutional Court.
What were you going after? Purely protecting the Constitution, or your own interests, such as extending the time when you’ll be taking deputy salary?
No, you should realize that this was the only possibility. Only one person can act as a plaintiff. I, as a deputy, had to do it. Unfortunately, since the Senate did not fulfil its constitutional obligation of safety check, it was necessary to do it this way. I think that not even ten deputy salaries can make up for what I’ve paid for it during the media massage.
Mr Kalvoda said that you’re only an instrument of something higher. Of some higher interests, whoever that is.
Mr Kalvoda said that? I don’t believe it.
Is there somebody behind you, did anyone tell you how to act? Or does the whole idea come purely from your head?
No. It’s all only my initiative. I’m alone in it. I only needed the help of Mr Kalvoda, who put it down on paper. Journalists had asked me whether I would file a new constitutional complaint and I hadn’t ruled out the possibility. As soon as senators did not fulfil their task of constitutional safety check, I had to take on that responsibility. That’s all.
When you look at the whole situation and its consequences as we see them today – the preparation of elections that probably won’t take place as scheduled has cost CZK 122 million. Do you think you helped or harmed the Czech state with your constitutional complaint?
I helped it. At least to the extent that constitution and constitutional law will be operative in this country. At least I hope so.
What have you been doing since you filed the constitutional complaint two weeks ago until now? Did you meet anybody because of the complaint? Did you discuss it with someone else at that time?
I lived my normal life, as a normal person. I went for a concert in Prague, for example, I met with people, I went to a football game with my grandson. Simply a normal life.
You are close to Miloš Zeman. Did he give you any advice on the constitutional complaint?
No, by no means. Leave Mr Zeman undisturbed in Vysočina.
Are you sorry that, no matter what, you will most probably end in your position of deputy soon anyway? Would you like to remain a deputy some time longer?
I won’t run as a candidate to the lower house any more.
What will you do after your deputy mandate terminates? What do you plan to do after the elections?
I will retire. I’m not receiving old-age pension now, although I’ve been entitled to it for several years.
