The outlook for the future is not optimistic, but the Czechs and the Czech Republic have managed to get through much worse periods, stated Prime Minister Andrej Babiš in a speech on the national holiday on Oct. 28. According to him, in the darkest times, the nation has always stuck together. He hopes that the new government will fight for Czech interests. Babiš also again urged people to get vaccinated and thanked them for their trust.
Babiš delivered his speech on the day when the president usually speaks at the state decorations ceremony at Prague Castle. This year, the ceremony did not take place due to the hospitalization of Miloš Zeman. According to Babiš, people should wish the president a speedy recovery.
“This is exactly the moment when we should tame our potential antipathies and when politics should step aside,” he said.
He noted that the pandemic and the post-election situation have exacerbated the atmosphere in society and that developments at home and abroad are not helping either. He mentioned rising energy prices, the poor situation in the car industry, and the rising price of goods.
“From the headlines, it would seem that one disaster after another is coming at us. Maybe we got a little sick. And maybe it’s not just a disease of the body, but also a disease of the soul,” he said.
“Yes, the outlook is not exactly optimistic, but our republic and our nation have managed to cope with much worse times,” he added.
He said that the Czech nation had always united when it sensed a threat to the future and the country’s children.
“It is true that in the coming years, we will have to rely much more on ourselves, but if I am fundamentally convinced of anything, it is that we are an incredibly tenacious, resourceful, and cordial nation. And that’s why I’m not worried that we won’t be able to handle things that will come,” he said.
Babiš hopes that the new government will “continue to fight for Czech interests and raise the living standards of the citizens.” According to him, the starting position of the Czech Republic is good because it is one of the least indebted countries in the European Union and because it strongly defends its national interests in the EU.
“Therefore, there is no place for fear. I firmly believe that even the new government will defend our country and our citizens,” he said.
He also expressed a wish for politicians to see themselves as rivals, not as enemies, and for people to start listening to other opinions and not put them down.
Again, he called on everyone to get vaccinated and described the vaccination as the only tool against coronavirus.
“For the peace of our children, our loved ones, our families, our friends, and for the peace of our whole country, get yourself vaccinated. May our Christmas be happy and merry,” he said.
At the end of his speech, Babiš thanked the nation for its trust and the four years when he was prime minister.
