Candidate debate.
Danuše Nerudová excused herself from Friday's presidential candidates' debate organized by the magazine Respekt due to a medical disability. The cast was therefore purely male. The four participants, Josef Středula, Petr Pavel, Marek Hilšer and Pavel Fischer, debated with Respekt editor-in-chief Erik Tabery. Two hours is a solid portion of time. However, thanks to good moderation and with the help of questions that could be sent via the mobile app, it was not a wasted investment. The personal meeting spiced with the opportunity to observe the mutual reactions of the actors certainly helps in mapping the terrain and guessing the suitable aspirant for the head of state. The terms of the debate were level for all, the questions were not aggressive, the environment was pleasant, just perhaps there could have been a little more humour and hyperbole. The weakest link seemed to be Marek Hilšer, who gave the least prepared impression and at times showed a lack of understanding of the areas in which the president plays a key role. For example, in the discussion on the selection and appointment of constitutional judges. The most convincing were Messrs Středula and Fischer. However, a detailed critical look did not escape attention, as did Středula's excessive emphasis on issues with a social accent, which showed a focus on a defined target group, and Fischer's typical mentoring, manifested by nodding or shaking his head when foreign policy was discussed or Václav Havel was mentioned. Petr Pavel was good average, neither great, but not bad either. We still have a month to decide who we will trust to use his powers to the benefit of the citizens of the Czech Republic. For the third time it will be by direct election, with a substantial popular mandate. There is not much point in pondering whether direct election is a mistake or, on the contrary, a useful addition to an otherwise representative democracy. For this election it is, and it is up to us to show our responsible will. The next president will be the kind of president we deserve for our activism in civic life and our approach to public affairs. In short, he will be our reflection in the mirror.