Final Word from Thursday, May 27, 2010
Both ODS and ČSSD published plans yesterday for their first 100 days in office. Right there in black & white is a commitment to fix the tender process after the elections. ODS even presented it as one of the 35 points on a checklist. This is exactly what the Platform for Transparent Public Procurement is attempting to achieve. Journalists can and should be skeptical about the willingness of politicians to follow through after the elections with something that would take billions of crowns out of the pockets of the crooks, but business groups with a true interest in improving the situation should take a different approach. They should make it harder for the politicians to renege on their promises by constantly praising them for every little step made toward the goal. Gently reminding the politicians that there's already plenty of room under existing law to clean up the tender situation wouldn't hurt either.[Czech Republic platforma pro transparentní veřejné zakázky American Chamber of Commerce AmCham]
Glossary of difficult words
in black & white - printed or written down; well, actually in black & blue in the case of ODS;
checklist - a list of items required, things to be done, or points to be considered;
to renege - to go back on a promise, undertaking or contract.