Final Word from Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Transport Minister Dan Ťok doesn't refer to himself as a "guy with balls," as Mirek Topolánek said of himself, but he's showing that he has them. First he challenged PPF in its effort to take over the toll system, and then yesterday he instructed the organizations under his ministry, including the high-budget ŘSD highway dept., not to include arbitration clauses in their future contracts. This is a direct assault on lawyer Radek Pokorný, who wrote Ťok a nasty SMS about it. Pokorný is a vice chair of the Arbitration Court and also represents clients with cases pending against the ministry. In one of them, the Court's board is taking weeks to decide in a model conflict of interest that shouldn't take more than 10 minutes. Ťok is courageous for taking on a godfather and a mini-godfather, but he couldn't do it without Andrej Babiš's support. For Babiš, it's an attack on Bohuslav Sobotka and his ability to finance ČSSD's election campaign. [Czech Republic Kapsch SkyToll regional senate]
Glossary of difficult words
to have balls - (mildly vulgar) to have the courage to do something, despite the risk;
clause - a particular and separate article, stipulation, or proviso in a treaty, bill, or contract;
nasty - unpleasant, disagreeable or offensive;
pending - awaiting a decision or settlement.