Final Word from Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Legal commentator Josef Koukal of Právo said he's willing to bet a horse to a hen's egg that the incident in Chile last week that allowed Pres. Petr Pavel to leave behind a pen at an official signing to replace the one pocketed by Václav Klaus 15 years ago was arranged in advance. The Castle insists that it wasn't, but what if it was? Instead of a nice gesture that just happened to have an extra meaning for Czechs, it would be a stunt not becoming a real statesman. But Pavel has evidently decided to be a pop president instead, and from this standpoint it would be pretty cool if the collective Castle were exposed as scheming pranksters. It's similar with the Nato summit. Pavel would of course like to hobnob in Ankara with the Nato elite, and he will certainly come out the winner if PM Andrej Babiš caves and lets him attend the opening dinner. But Pavel will get an even greater show of support from his fans if he's left at home. The old rules of diplomacy don't apply to Pavel, because a pop president wins either way. [ Czech Republic Turkey ]
Glossary of difficult words
a horse to a hen's egg - a bet whose outcome is so certain that the bettor has no fear of losing;
to pocket - to take or receive (money or other valuables) for oneself, esp. dishonestly;
stunt - something unusual done to attract attention;
becoming - suitable or appropriate;
prankster - a person fond of playing practical jokes;
to hobnob - to mix socially, esp. with those of perceived higher social status;
to cave (in) - to capitulate or submit under pressure.