Thread by @bctallis

Excellent news from #Czechia @JanLipavsky’s confirmation is a very positive step. BUT … a short 🧵on #czech politics.
1. Beware expectations raised a little high here. portraying @P_Fiala as #Havel’s heir is v. problematic - he has a strange rel to #EU

politico.eu/article/czech-…

2. @JanLipavsky is from a different party than @P_Fiala - the pirates, who along with STAN have a much stronger claim to be the standard bearers of Havelism in #Czechia today.
Fiala’s support 4 Lipavsky is great but this is as much domestic power politics (v Zeman) as principle

3. The two are, nonetheless, connected as Zeman as been not only a disastrous President morally (migration, Allegations of corruption & influence from kremlin,etc) but an enabler for both 🇷🇺 & 🇨🇳 in 🇨🇿.
We can expect to see that diminish without Babis facilitating Zeman.

4. Whether @P_Fiala can lead a government that supports other Western & European values remains to be seen. His party has traditionally been very hostile to the EU, which contrasts with stance of @JanLipavsky. It’s also interesting to see how they position on #migration #czechia

5 As article says🇨🇿 faces major economic challenges. Nonetheless, I hope @JiriPehe is right that the #postcommunist chapter can now be closed. #czech politics still has many illiberal tendencies that coalition should address. Closer EU coop is only a start & uncertain one at that

6. This presents not only a need but also an opportunity for key partners in #EU & #NATO 🇩🇪🇬🇧🇺🇸to support the potential new liberal direction in Czechia