Czech ForMin says his chances of becoming president are low

Vienna - Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg told the Friday issue of the Austrian daily Kurier that his chances of being elected in 2013 are small because the current government´s popularity is low over the economic crisis.

He also spoke about the European Union and the euro zone countries´ problems saying their single currency should not be a "fetish."

He said he expects Europe´s young to stage a rebellion.

"My chances in the presidential elections are small simply because every government at the time of economic crisis is strongly losing popularity," Schwarzenberg said.

He said he does not mind and that the main thing is that the current government be fulfilling its ideas.

Schwarzenberg, 74, is chairman of TOP 09, a junior party of the centre-right government coalition that also comprises the senior Civic Democrats (ODS) and Public Affairs (VV). The government´s regular term expires in mid-2014.

The successor to President Vaclav Klaus, whose second and last possible term expires in early 2013, may be chosen in a direct election for the first time in the Czech Republic´s history if parliament passes the relevant bill in time.

Schwarzenberg said it is comprehensible "to a certain degree" that the developments in Europe are now determined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel together with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

But steps taken especially in critical times should be taken in harmony with small states, he said.

Schwarzenberg said the lack of visionaries is one of the causes of Europe´s current crisis.

"We have administrators everywhere, but no creators. They are often excellent administrators. Emperor Franz Joseph was an example, he probably exercised the best administration. The whole monarchy was flourishing. But he lacked a vision for dealing with problems. Now, too, a vision has long been missing - whether on the part of Social Democrats, or conservatives," Schwarzenberg said.

He said it is natural that Klaus, who is "Eurosceptic to put it mildly," does not have any vision for Europe.

However, "unlike Great Britain the Czech Republic and Austria," countries situated in the centre of Europe, cannot simply leave the EU, Schwarzenberg said.

He said the euro should cease to be a fetish. "One should never place instrument above goal - the goal is unification of Europe. The euro is a mere instrument, even though an important one. It has generated progress, but it is not the ultimate goal and content of the EU," Schwarzenberg said.

He said he believes that Europe will be faced with a rebellion of the young, "a new generation that has new ideas" in the years to come.

Author: CTK
www.ctk.cz

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