Dangerous campaign posters in the Czech Republic

In the run-up to next month's local elections in the Czech Republic a growing number of campaign posters depict socially marginal groups like the Roma as lazy and stupid. The message: those who don't work don't deserve public support. The business paper Hospodářské noviny labels the campaign cheap propaganda: "Commenting on the politically motivated deportation of Roma from France, Prime Minister Nečas also spoke about the Roma problem in the Czech Republic - which has other causes than that in France, namely social and educational causes. But where does the programme of the [Nečas party] ODS emphasise work and education? The capitalist society produces marginal groups that become destitute for the most diverse reasons. ... The idea that the Roma, the homeless, welfare recipients or the permanently unemployed are to blame for their poverty because they are stupid and lazy is a dangerous stereotype. Especially when it becomes the foundation of official policy."

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