Czech PM Andrej Babiš doesn't like Greta Thunberg's "tone, aggression and hysteria"

New York, Sept 24 (CTK special correspondent) – The speech that Swedish activist Greta Thunberg gave at the U.N. Climate Action Summit on Monday was interesting, Czech PM Andrej Babiš told Czech reporters in New York, but voiced surprise at the style the 16-year-old girl chose to address world leaders.

Later, Babiš wrote on Twitter that he did not like Thunberg’s “tone, aggression and hysteria.”

In a very emotional speech, Thunberg criticised them for their inactivity in fighting climate change.

Babiš said Greta rebuked state officials.

“How dare you?…You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words,” Thunberg said in her speech at the summit convoked by UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres.

“It was interesting, of course. I was a little bit surprised at her style [of speaking]. I think we should not scare each other by the prospect of an apocalypse and our [mankind’s] extinction due to our not caring about climate change,” Babiš said.

“Greta Thunberg was right about many things, but I did not like her tone, her aggression and her hysteria because of which many people will once again stop dealing with climate change and will focus on a 16-year-old Swedish girl that is polarising society. I also do not like how she lumps all together, as if no one was trying to do anything. That is not true,” the Czech PM added later on Twitter.

He said the Czech Republic has addressed the climate change issue, unlike other countries that fail to fulfil their pledges in this respect. Such countries were enabled to address the climate summit, unlike the Czechs, Babiš said.

He pointed out the fact, also mentioned by the British BBC station, that countries such as China and India were given space in the New York debate although they rank among the world’s biggest polluters.

A speech was also delivered by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country, too, has problem to meet the climate goals, he said.

In connection with climate protection, Babiš mentioned his Monday talks with Microsoft President Brad Smith. He said he found Microsoft’s health care artificial intelligence technologies interesting as well as its Skype programme for Internet telephony.

For Czechia, a possible use of this telephony programme during its EU presidency in the second half of 2022 might save money and reduce the number of Czech officials’ flights to Brussels,” Babiš said.

“At the same time, this would please Greta, who has rebuked us for caring for our planet insufficiently,” Babiš added.

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