Havel deems Klaus's behavior as irresponsible

CzechNews
16. 10. 2009 12:41
Former president and hero of the Velvet Revolution Václav Havel says Klaus is damaging the country
Václav Havel at the Na zábradlí theatre commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution
Václav Havel at the Na zábradlí theatre commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution | Foto: Ludvík Hradilek

Prague - As the Czechs commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism this year, front leaders of the 1989 Velvet Revolution gathered in Prague's theatre Na zábradlí on Thursday to recall the important moments of Czech history.

Among the guests was also the first post-1989 president Václav Havel who expressed his concerns over president Václav Klaus. According to Havel, Klaus is damaging the country.

"He is damaging the country and he acts irresponsibly," the playwright-turned-politician said adding that he cannot avoid commenting on the issue.

Klaus has refused to sign the Lisbon Treaty after both chambers of the Czech parliament ratified it. He demands an opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights, claiming that the Lisbon Treaty will "make it possible for the EU Court of Justice to bypass Czech courts and deal directly with claims raised by those who were displaced after World War II directly."

Cardigans and corduroy pants

The Na zábradlí theatre is very symbolic for Václav Havel. He started his career as a playwright there in the 1960s.

"I spent the most beautiful years in my life in this theatre," he said nostalgically. He said he also met his future wife here Dagmar Havlová.

With him on the theatre stage were also former dissident and later politician Alexander Vondra, Jiří Křižan and Havel's spokesperson Michael Žantovský. All of them were among the leading figures of the Velvet Revolution.

The relaxed atmosphere of the afternoon session was underlined by the Revolution protagonists wearing cardigans and corduroy pants.

"We agreed we would come in the clothes we had during the Velvet revolution times," Alexandr Vondra explained to the viewers. "Václav Havel is wearing the same kind of pants. Mine did not fit me any longer," he added laughing.

 

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