Czech press survey - November 7

The granting of university diplomas has turned into business in the Czech Republic in the past years. Probably not at all universities, but probably not only at the West Bohemian University's (ZCU) Faculty of Law where suspicious practices surfaced recently, Jiri Hanak writes in the paper.

One of the infamous students suspected of gaining the title of doctor of law fraudulently is Marek Benda, a deputy for the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), Hanak writes.

In his capacity as head of the lower house's constitutional and legal committee, Benda is supposed to supervise the strict observance of law. Caught cheating, Benda said he would not resign from his parliamentary post. He said he would not use the title of doctor of law (JUDr) and would try to defend it once again, Hanak writes.

This is as if a car thief said "as you have caught me, I won't use the stolen car." This is formidable, isn't it? Hanak writes.

"If it were up to me, I would not allow Benda to try to defend his doctorate again. A cheating lawyer who does not repent effectively can become nothing but a cheating lawyer," Hanak writes.

The positive aspect of the disgusting ZCU scandal is that it shows that the state must provide more support to basic education, rather than mushrooming of universities, to catch up the West in terms of the national education level, Hanak concludes.

Lidove noviny's commentator Martin Zverina focuses on another suspicious graduate from the ZCU Faculty of Law, Ivana Rapkova, mayor of Chomutov, north Bohemia, up to now a promising politician of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS).

Most of Rapkova's party colleagues say it is impossible to doubt about the regularity of her studies unless the ZCU decided to strip her of the title [Mgr] or proved that she had cheated. This is a position reminiscent of the "old good" ODS of the late 1990s, Zverina writes.

Rapkova keeps her dissertation and details about her studies in secrecy. She refers to a teacher who has deceased meanwhile, as those alive would never confirm that she studied at the faculty several years ago. No one at the faculty can remember having ever seen Rapkova there, Zverina writes.

Rapkova either has very bad luck or she is a cynical cheater. The latter seems to be true, judging by her behaviour, Zverina says.

Many Czechs tend to play down the threats by extremists, either rightist or leftist, to topple the present democratic regime, but these threats should not be underestimated, Robert Casensky writes in Mlada fronta Dnes.

Even educated people, such as Social Democrat (CSSD) Central Bohemian Governor David Rath, a medicine doctor by training, tend to succumb to populist slogans of extremists, Casensky writes, alluding to Rath's recent praise of the set up in his region where the CSSD rules in cooperation with the Communists (KSCM).

Displays of extremism are rising without people showing less toleration of them. Moreover, the current economic crisis may offer more chances for extremists to make up populist and attractive slogans, Casensky says.

The Communists will criticise the greedy bankers and nouveau riches who drive "ordinary people" into poverty, while the neo-Nazis, traditionally critical of Romanies, will start attacking foreigners for "taking jobs away from our people." They may even focus on successful Czechs of Jewish origin who "secretly control everything and also drive ordinary people" into poverty, Casensky warns.

The extremists may find a number of supporters as the Czech society, weakened by a long political and economic crisis, is more prone to such infection, Casensky writes.

Autor: ČTK
www.ctk.cz