Manifestations of extremism may rise over crisis- Czech PM

The incidence of manifestations of extremism and neo-Nazism may increase in the Czech Republic as a result of the economic crisis, but the authorities will react to them with resolve, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said during question time in the Chamber of Deputies today.

Communist (KSCM) deputy Vaclav Exner said extremism and neo-Nazism are gathering strength in Europe as well as in the Czech Republic and the measures taken as yet are not much effective.

Topolanek said the respective bodies are "carefully and in detail monitoring" the organisations and groupings, their members and supporters as well as their actions.

Topolanek said the police have been more hard in reaction to the manifestations of extremism than in the past. He said cooperation with security services is effective.

"I am very serious about all manifestations of extremism, particularly neo-Nazism, in this country. We will monitor it and we will react to it very resolutely," Topolanek said.

He said the extremist organisations are moving along the edge of law, therefore it is very difficult to possibly dissolve them.

The government recently asked the Supreme Administrative Court to dissolve the extreme-right Workers’ Party (DS).

Some experts say it is an umbrella organisation of various ultra-rightist and neo-Nazi groupings, including the neo-Nazi National Resistance.

The DS came to the centre of attention late last year in connection with the Janov housing estate in Litvinov, north Bohemia, in which many unadaptable people, mostly Romanies, live.

One of the actions resulted in hard clashes between the police and the extremists.

Topolanek said the neo-Nazis exploited the situation at the estate and succeeded in winning over support of a part of the public.

The Czech Republic now heads a working group of the Visegrad Four, that comprises the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, and Austria that focuses on the struggle against extremism.

Representatives of Germany are guests to the team.

The issue is also dealt with by institutions of the European Union that is now presided over by the Czech Republic.

Topolanek’s appearance was accompanied by a small verbal shooutout started by his statement that he sees no great difference between neo-Nazism, neo-fascism, communism and neo-communism.

"I consider all these extremist ideologies equally dangerous," Topolanek said.

Exner immediately reacted, but Topolanek said he does not comprehend why Exner is so personal about what he said if the KSCM dissociates itself from "the excesses of its predecessor [Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, KSC]."

Exner said Topolanek’s comparison of communism and fascism is "insolent, provocative and blunt."