Derogatory comments by the Czech Republic’s former prime minister about Jews, gays and the Catholic Church have led to his resignation as chairman of his conservative political party.
Mirek Topolanek had been under strong pressure from within his Civic Democratic Party to step down following the comments to the editorial staff of the gay magazine Lui. He announced April 1 that he would not lead his party’s campaign in a May 28-29 election or run as a candidate.
Topolanek’s comments came during an informal conversation with editorial staff of the magazine. But a video of the meeting was leaked to other media.
He said that Transport Minister Gustav Slamecka is a homosexual who “gives in” when he faces a serious problem. About Prime Minister Jan Fischer, he said, “he’s simply a Jew; he’s not gay and he gives in even sooner.” Fischer is Jewish. Slamecka has not commented on his sexual orientation. — ap