Czech President Milos Zeman has criticized an exaggerated fear of Chinese and Russian espionage. In his traditional Christmas address transmitted in several TV stations, the 74-year-old also condemned the demonstrations of recent weeks against the minority government he had appointed under the multi-billionaire Andrej Babis.
„Two hysterical waves“
The „espionage“ together with the demonstrations of the government opponents „two hysterical waves,“ which he rejected both, said Zeman. Apparently referring to last week’s ban on Huawei cell phones from government institutions, as well as warnings from the Czech secret service and security bureau against Chinese and Russian espionage, the Russian-and China-friendly president said: „Those who constantly warn us about spies treat us like underage and easily manipulated beings who can not protect themselves. “
Protesters „disregard democracy“
The thousands of protesters who had been on the streets several times since mid-November to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Babis accused the head of state of disregarding democracy. It was legitimate to demonstrate for social demands or against a totalitarian government, but demanding the dismissal of a government that emerged from free elections was a „mockery of the electorate.“
Background of the protests had been allegations against the liberal-populist Prime Minister Babis, he had falsely received EU subsidies in the construction of a luxury resort. Both Czech and EU authorities are investigating this suspicion of fraud.
