Election Favorite Vows to End Czech Austerity ‘Obsession’

The Czech Republic must drop its penchant for “fiscal self-flagellation” in favor of investing in economic growth, according to a senior official from an opposition party poised to sweep to victory in October elections.

The central European nation of 11 million will hold a parliamentary ballot in less than two months as voters decide whether to extend the mandate of an administration that’s placed its bets on budget belt-tightening — or replace it with a populist billionaire who aims to return to office on promises for ramped up spending.