PM Topolánek wants CZ among top 10 EU countries

Markéta Chaloupská
28. 4. 2008 17:00
Winning the next elections stressed as crucial

Hradec Králové - Prime Minister and Head of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Mirek Topolánek stated at the party's program conference that he would like the Czech Republic to become one of the ten most advanced countries in the EU zone in terms of quality of life.

If ODS would win the next elections, according to Topolánek it should make sure this goal be reached in ten years.

Also, the party should strive for making public expenses more balanced by 2014. This should be one of the main goals of the party, stated Topolánek.

Fulfilling promises

At the very beginning of his speech, PM Topolánek refused accusations that ODS does not observe its pre-electoral program, not fulfilling its promises.

According to Topolánek, ODS is keeping its direction even though it is using some different methods than originally planned before the electoral victory in 2006. PM Topolánek thus reminded a few times that aims are sometimes more important than means.

"Let's not confuse a mean and a goal," stressed PM Topolánek, adding that it is necessary for ODS to win the next elections in order to be able to fulfill the promised goals.

Losing the elections would mean losing the possibility to influence what is happening in our country, explained PM.

The current position of the party in the coalition with the Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) and the Green Party causes some internal tension within ODS, the most notable critic is above all Vlastimil Tlustý, who again stressed at the conference that it is necessary to be easing the tax burden faster.

New PR approach needed

PM Topolánek stressed that taxes and public finances should not be the only topic addressed by ODS. Topolánek also called for the way the party presents itself in the media and to the public to be reappraised.

Topolánek has been repeatedly criticized by his party fellows and by the public as well for his rather crude attitude to the media.

Read more: Czech PM calls journalists insane, corrupt and biased

Some Civic Democratic lawmakers blamed Topolánek for the fall of the party's popularity in the opinion polls.

 

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