The topic of new emission allowances will be one of the main topics of the parliamentary elections. This is also evidenced by the argument between the Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Jan Skopeček (ODS) and the head of the ANO deputies Alena Schillerová in Partia Plus on CNN Prima NEWS. “We need a prime minister who will not kiss the ring in the EU,” Schillerová launched into the Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS). Skopeček countered that ANO was to blame. The guests also argued over which party was “greener”.
According to Skopeček, the European Union is making a number of bad steps, for example in the issue of competitiveness – however, he does not see this as legitimizing the Czech Republic to consider leaving the EU27.
“We need a major overhaul, including the ETS 2 emissions trading system. You covered up this innovation by approving the Green Deal,” the ANO movement accused.
However, Schillerová argued that the Green Deal for Europe, which Andrej Babiš signed during his premiership, is only a framework, but that specific measures were only adopted during the Czech presidency, i.e. during the government of Petr Fiala.
“The Internet is full of thanks from (former) Green European Commissioner Frans Timmermans, who claimed that he had never experienced a more effective presidency. In addition to ETS 2, the Fit for 55 package was also negotiated,” said the head of the opposition parliamentary group, adding that these steps will make life more expensive for domestic households.
“That’s exactly why we need a strong prime minister who will not kiss the European Commission’s ring, but will instead find allies in the EU to achieve the abolition of this nonsense. There was great power in the V4, so it would be good to return to this platform,” Schillerová outlined.
The dispute over kissing the ring
However, Skopeček objected to her words. “When you had the right of veto, you dug your heels in. The one who kissed the Commission’s ring was Andrej Babiš when he confirmed the Green Deal. At that time, there was only one possibility to reverse this scenario,” he noted.
Schillerová returned the words that the specific measures of the Green Deal were only adopted by the current cabinet. According to him, they had already been clearly declared in the original concept. “Then there was an application, sign up for it,” the politician responded, saying that government representatives were making excuses.
However, both agreed that it would be best to abolish the entire emissions trading system. “Personally, I consider it leftist central planning, which is at the level of the communist economy. It will bring huge costs to households and companies,” admitted Skopeček.
“That is why the government has created an initiative at the EU level, which is being joined by neighboring states. It aims to significantly revise ETS 2,” he added.
Greener than the Greens
Among other things, Skopeček accused the ANO movement led by Babiš of the fact that at the time of the Green Deal adoption, the former cabinet could have prevented the expansion of the allowance system.
“Today, you want to make yourself the savior of green politics, even though you were its strongest supporter in the history of Czech politics. You were greener than the Green Party,” he pointed out.
According to Schillerová, however, such statements are just an excuse. “And we will really be the saviors of green politics,” she added.
