Final Word from Monday, December 29, 2025
An entry in the trust-fund registry just before Christmas cast doubt on the sincerity of Andrej Babiš to resolve his potential conflict of interest as PM. The entry states clearly that part of the purpose of the fund is to manage the assets in question (Agrofert) only while Babiš serves in the government. Until further proof is provided to the contrary, it will appear that Babiš pulled the wool over everyone's eyes when he said that he had come up with a permanent solution. For many, this will come to be seen as the political trick of the year. However, journalist Radko Kubičko said in his last contribution for Czech Radio before his untimely death last week that it was Pres. Petr Pavel who didn't do his job in terms of setting more conditions for Babiš before appointing him PM. In this respect, it's actually Pavel who pulled the wool over everyone's eyes. He so cleverly switched sides from being staunchly anti-Babiš to giving Babiš carte blanche that hardly anyone noticed what happened. It was the political trick of the year. [ Czech Republic RSVP Trust commercial registry commentator ]
Glossary of difficult words
to pull the wool over someone's eyes - to deceive someone by telling untruths;
untimely - (of a death or end) happening too soon or sooner than normal;
staunch - very committed in attitude;
carte blanche - complete freedom to act as one wishes.