Much has been written about Mirek Topolánek’s luck, but maybe the time has come for scientists to start examining the phenomenon.
The prime minister first called off planned changes to the cabinet because the Christian Democrats didn’t like the attacks aimed at their leader, Jiří Čunek. A wave of general ridicule was starting to rise when the Christian Democrats unexpectedly convinced Čunek to leave his ministry post. Topolánek’s reputation was saved, and he went from saying there would be no change to replacing four ministers. The cabinet is getting a second chance, but it is not clear whether it will be able to use it.
A beneficial mistake
That the changes in the cabinet were able to happen does not necessarily mean that they are all positive. This isn’t any word play but rather a reference to the the complicated reality. Health Minister Tomáš Julínek has, without a doubt, been the best head of this ministry since 1989. It is important here to take into account that, unlike his predecessors at the beginning of the 1990s, he assumed the position at a time when most people viewed reform in a negative light. People were satisfied with what they had and didn’t want a change.
Julínek attracted much wrath and everyone is advising him how to do things differently, better, in a way that is more appealing to the public. Yes, the ministry’s external communication left something to be desired. The new concept of doctor’s fees should have been better thought out and should not have applied to everyone. Everything and more than that pays. At the same time, it is necessary to state that when one does something for the first time, one is bound to make mistakes. Clearly, in such a situation it isn’t possible to learn from one’s predecessors. Most of Julínek’s predecessors were terrible. (Fišer, Lom, Rubáš, David, Emmerová) or they had too little time to really do anything (Roithová, Kubinyi).
Even in spite of that Julínek’s departure makes sense. Partly through his own fault, partly thanks to the general hysteria, he earned an overwhelmingly negative report card. Any statement by him was criticised and rejected even before being made public. Politics is a very unfair environment, where emotions play a significant role. It would be a pity if all of the ministry’s plans were also rejected because of this. A number of his proposals, which still await approval of the parliament, could help strengthen patients’ rights.
That’s why Topolánek’s choice of a replacement minister, ODS senator Daniela Filipiová, is such good news. Firstly, the senator wants to continue with the plans proposed by her predecessor. Secondly, this woman has political talent and is better at explaining why certain steps need to be taken. Her past is not controversial, so she will be judged solely on how she handles her task.
We don’t need to regret the departure of Julínek’s party colleague, Transport Minister Aleš Řebíček for a minute. This man brought attention upon himself through his connections to people with shady backgrounds at home and abroad. With every inch he gained in his girth, he seemed to be gaining a network of friendly contacts in various companies. So his dismissal was not in the least surprising.
In the post-Velvet Revolution era, it never happened that a prime minister would dismiss a friend from within his own party. Many people have talked about the need to get rid of Řebíček, but few could imagine that Topolánek would find the courage to actually do it. After all, they went on holiday together and were considered close friends. And yet, he was still dismissed. This victory, nevertheless, leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste. Even two years was too long for Řebíček to be heading the ministry. If Topolánek is earnest in his efforts to clean up politics, he will not be able to avoid taking a close look at the cronyism that seems to be so prevalent in the top echelons of the Transport Ministry.
Choosing Petr Bendl to replace Řebíček was a purely political move, aimed to placate the ODS. Bendl might quench the central Bohemian ODS’ thirst for a powerful position. The future minister’s first statements were just empty phrases: He says he cares above all about road safety. This doesn’t suggest much hope for a more modern leadership at the Transport Ministry.
Turbulence among the Christian Democrats
It is almost as though Topolánek received a gift from God for showing a little bit of bravery: Čunek’s resignation fell right into his lap. The leader of the Christian Democrats surprisingly forgot his party’s longstanding rule: We will forgive you everything except betraying a party brother or a sister. His attempts to get rid of Kalousek broke this rule. If Čunek didn’t resign, the Christian Democrats would have made him leave. But Topolánek is responsible for letting Čunek exert his negative influences in politics. It’s because of him that the cabinet carried out its darkest deed: intervening in Čunek’s corruption probe.
If recalling Řebíček was unusual on the part of the prime minister, then Džamila Stehlíková’s dismissal is unique in how it was carried out. She accepted her dismissal with calm grace and expressed support for her successor, Michal Kocáb. She showed how politicians should behave.
The selection of Kocáb was unexpected. And this man wouldn’t be suitable for any other position either because he doesn’t have much experience. But the human rights office needs above all someone who is able to attract attention. So maybe someone from the entertainment industry will be successful in promoting and popularising unsexy topics, like the human rights of minorities.
The cabinet reshuffle went well. We know that much. But we have yet to see whether it can revitalise the tired, worn-down cabinet. The cabinet has, nevertheless, found a new raison d’etre: the EU presidency and the economic crisis. In the next few weeks, the cabinet will reveal exactly what recipe it has prepared.
