Is TOP 09’s warrior lady too-connected-to-jail?

Politicians love to bleat on about ‘too-connected-to-fail’ when struggling with the financial markets. The notion has been proved wrong time and time again and yet our leaders press ahead with their project of dismantling political and fiscal competition between EU member states in the name of rescuing the euro.

But I stray into areas way above my pay grade. Back to what is bothering us in Prague this week. In arguing that Vlasta Parkanová cannot alone be held responsible for the fabulously overpriced CASA contract, despite the fact that as defence minister she signed the contract into existence, her supporters have come up with a notion best described as ‘too-connected-to-jail’.

Of course, TOP 09’s first lady is no Viking warrior in a winged helmet (actually, she bears a striking resemblance to the classical Brunhilde –it’s the orange hair and the ministerial portfolio). She is a flawed politician who got to sign a contract negotiated by others.

Never has the reputation of the real players in the Czech defence business been so vigorously defended by Kalousek, their no-nonsense spokesman. When he declares that it is unjust to hold this damsel in distress singly responsible for CASA, he is merely saying what we all know to be true, which is that Vlasta is the 'fall girl'. Those behind the deal are actually all his best mates: Topolánek, Barták, Kopřiva, Dalík and last but not least the exiled King Richard himself -Háva very sensibly lives in Switzerland, a country where property is safe from the hands of thieving politicians and bank accounts are more or less safe from the prying eyes of state prosecutors.

We must admire Kalousek and his brothers-in-arms for their chivalrous defence of Fair Vlasta. Their knightly scorn for pecuniary reward is indeed credit to King Richard! And we must hope that those who filled their trousers (pockets are too small for the sums involved) with the money are not 'too-connected-to-jail'.

But don’t hold your breath, dear reader. As Wagner buffs like to remind us, ‘It ain’t over till the fat lady sings!’ And it is the lady singing that Kalousek and his mates are so desperate to avoid.