Czech Republic: a president who skips elections?
Local elections will be held in the Czech Republic on Friday and Saturday. However, due to a scheduling error, the election date clashes with President Petr Pavel's motorbike holiday in Morocco, so he won't be able to cast his vote. The head of state has said he regrets the mistake but does not intend to cut short his trip. Czech media have criticised the fact that the president, of all people, will be absent from the election.
Major faux-pas
For Forum24, this is a major faux-pas:
“The president must participate in the election and be in the Czech Republic when the results are announced. You might be thinking that everyone makes mistakes. But there's definitely something odd here. After all, it is the president who announces the date of the election. And that same president certainly doesn't spontaneously book a cheap holiday online after a few beers, but plans it in collaboration with others, taking into account the general schedule and the various security measures. A faux-pas like this is is totally unacceptable.”
Popularity can be fleeting
Hospodářské noviny fears that the incident could undermine Pavel's chances of being re-elected as president in two years' time:
“It's great to have a president who fulfils his duties and still comes across as cool. However, if the overall impression is that he is so focused on looking cool that he sometimes neglects his duties as president and politician – such as taking part in elections – public support may quickly wane. Petr Pavel would do well to cut short his holiday, fly from Marrakesh or Agadir [to Prague] on Friday and cast his vote in Černoušek [his home town] on Saturday. He could easily get there by motorbike, too. After all, the Czech Republic is a great place for motorcycling.”