Tomáš Sacher
Tomáš Sacher is a Czech journalist. A specialist in economics and politics, he has been working for the magazine Respekt since 2006.
Updated: 24 April 2012
Sources and authors
By Tomáš Sacher
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Czech Republic: Resurrection of the Marxist old guard
2 November 201212523 Respekt Prague -
Corruption: Czechs jittery about frozen EU funds
14 June 2012888 Respekt Prague -
Debate: Refuseniks and problem cases of the non-eurozone
10 November 20116415 Respekt Prague -
Infrastructures: European roads, made in China
2 December 20101001 Respekt Prague
For the first time since 1989, on 13 October, Czech communists have won elections in two regions, and their party is now hoping to extend its influence in general elections slated for 2014. However, reporting from the Karlovy Vary region, the weekly Respekt remarks that the communists have barely changed since the heyday of the single party. 
European funds tempt crooked politicians, not just in notorious Bulgaria but in the Czech Republic too. In the wake of a series scandals, Brussels has frozen disbursements to Prague and has begun to control how they are used – much to the chagrin of the cash-strapped government. 
As the eurozone crisis deepens, the countries outside of it are trying to come up with ways not to lose control of their destinies inside the EU. 
The advent of Chinese companies has shaken up the civil engineering market in Poland, and aroused the interest of its Czech neighbours. The Chinese secret: cut rates, punctuality and using local manpower. Plus backup from Beijing, of course.