Zeman pledges to tackle crime, corruption and far-right factions

The Czech Republic’s new president, Milos Zeman, has vowed to fight crime, corruption and nationalism and to stabilise the country’s fractious political scene, despite predictions the plain-speaking left-winger is likely to clash with Prague’s wobbly centre-right government.

Mr Zeman was sworn in yesterday as successor to Vaclav Klaus, the conservative who has been one of the most prominent critics of deeper European integration and the euro zone, and who ended his decade in office as a divisive figure accused of doing too little to fight high-level fraud.

Supporter of EU

The strongly pro-EU Mr Zeman promised to fly the bloc’s flag outside Prague Castle, something Mr Klaus refused to do, and to defend the interests of the poorest Czechs, many of whom felt abandoned by Mr Klaus and a government that is seen as close to big business.

“I want to be the president of all citizens . . . I offer the presidential office as a place for dialogue,” Mr Zeman (68) told a joint session of both houses of parliament at Prague Castle.

The former prime minister said he would target far-right extremists and those guilty of the corruption that has made many Czechs deeply distrustful of the political and business elite.

“One of the biggest dangers we face are the godfather-like mafias that live on the body of Czech society. They suck blood out of this body and don’t give anything in return,” he said, while proposing a new law that could force people to reveal the origin of their wealth.

“I will patiently try to persuade deputies and senators to propose such a Bill and to pass it.”

Mr Zeman also turned his fire on journalists – whom in the past he has called “manure” and “hyenas”. He said yesterday that reporters “deal with brainwashing, media manipulation, manipulating the public opinion . . . have little knowledge but huge self-confidence. They are people who write about everything and understand nothing.”

The president’s role is largely ceremonial, but he influences foreign policy, appoints central bank officials and approves judges.

Mr Klaus also helped prop up a centre-right coalition government, led by the party he founded, that has lost much support in recent months due to unpopular cutbacks and scandals.

Mr Zeman called last month for early parliamentary elections. Surveys suggest that the party he used to lead, the Social Democrats, would win an election held now.