Getting burned on coal

"Whatever you do," one regular reader complained, "don't write again about coal privatization. Even politics is more interesting." Sorry to disappoint him. The privatization of Severočeské doly, Sokolovská uhelná, and their combined Kč 14bn pile of cash (according to Respekt) might not interest many readers, but it's useful for understanding what's been happening in the CR. Miloš Čermák of LN wrote today that the privatization is risky for the cabinet and unpleasant for the favored bidders, because it's giving the public a view of what goes on behind the scenes. The role of various lobbyists and ministerial advisers is beginning to be clear. And this, he continued, could be the key for understanding past deals. Čermák argued, somewhat cynically, that the cabinet should cancel the privatization and start the process over anew. Otherwise, everyone might get burned.