the BIG debate

Expats.cz is rolling out a brand new feature – the BIG debate. Each week we would like to discuss with you a topic related to life in the Czech Republic and exchange opinions and ideas. Each week, we´ll provide you with a brief introduction to the topic, discuss with you on Facebook and also provide with a summary of your ideas afterwards. If you have a topic you would like to suggest for coming weeks, let us know at tips@expats.cz

 This week’s topic

ODS (the Civic Democratic Party) won the municipal elections in 2006 with 54%; this past weekend, they received only 23% of the vote. TOP 09’s Zdeněk Tůma will become the mayor of Prague (replacing Pavel Bém), and many hope this will end  years of local corruption. Do you think the right people can bring about change, or is corruption in big cities simply inevitable?

Discuss with us at our Facebook page.

Read more about the elections here.

 Week 12/10 Topic

Do you think Prague is getting too expensive?

Summary of week 12/10 debate: Again a nice agreement among you folks – prices are definitely on the rise and life in Prague is getting increasingly expensive but it is still more affordable then i.e. London, Austria or New Zealand..

 Week 5/10 Topic

Mike Tyson is coming to Prague in 2 weeks. Violence, physical power, intimidation, stunning fall from the highest levels of success and fame..Tyson’s life is full of controversy. Some think he is a legend, some he is a lunatic, some both. What do you think? Legend or Lunatic? Share your thoughts at our Facebook page .

Summary of week 5/10 debate: Acoording to you, Mike Tyson is legend with lunatic, a true legend of the ring, looser, a legendary lunatic.. Controversion is Mike’s destiny..

Week 21/9 Topic

Will legalizing prostitution in Prague make the city safer by providing the right to police protection, employment and  health benefits for the sex workers, or will it only drive more sex tourism to Prague?

What do you think? Share your opinion with others on our Facebook page.

Read more at: www.praguepost.cz

Summary of week 21/9 debate: Andrew nicely sup it up by writing: “There’ll never be a total solution to the problem, but anything that moves towards protecting women (and children) and risk is to be applauded.” There is a serious concern of driving more sex tourists but, as pointed out by Pavel, it also means more $$$s coming in..

 Week 14/9 Topic 

Is marijuana the fast track to hard drugs?

Read more at: https://www.expats.cz/prague/article/prague-entertainment/hemp-fair/

Summary of week 14/9 debate: Wow! All of us are in favor of marijuana! So according to our facebook friends marijuana is definitely not a fast track to harder drugs and legalizing is the way to go!

Week 7/9 Topic 

Do you support the project of a new building of the Czech National Library by Jan Kaplický? Is it appropriate for Letná Park or would it destroy the panorama?

Do you think the project has a chance to be realized even after the death of Jan Kaplický? Do you think the design is appropriate for Letná park? Share your opinion with others on our Facebook page.

Read more: Kaplicky’s blob saga: Competition goes to court

Summary of week 7/9 debate:

Week 31/8 Topic

Do you think that gun ownership should be banned in the Czech Republic following yesterday’s tragic shooting rampage in Bratislava?

What do you think? Share your opinion with others on our Facebook page.

Summary of week 31/8 debate:

Last week’s 24/8 topic

The critics say the new smoking laws for pubs and restaurants (compulsory storefront sticker) merely maintain status quo. Do you agree or do you think that the number of smoke-free restaurants in Prague is likely to significantly increase? What are your thoughts?

Ironically, the new laws also gave smokers more rights at tram and bus stops. Currently, legislation outlaws smoking at all bus/tram stop areas, but after July 1, smokers will be allowed to smoke at open bus/tram stops or at open platforms but not in the enclosed shelters. Share your opinion with others at our Facebook page.

Read more: Half of Prague’s pubs and bars to go no-smoking

Prague’s (Mostly) Smoke-Free Pubs

Summary of week 24/8 debate:

Most of you are not happy about the new anti-smoking laws and think it will change nothing. To put a sticker on the pub’s door is simply not enough of a change. Many of you also think that examples from abroad show that ban on smoking actually improved the atmosphere in the pubs. One could smell the food and taste the beer. A lot of work ahead for Czech politicians!

Week 17/8 Topic

 Given the state of the weather now, do you believe the CR is affected by global climate changes?

Deadly flash floods in north Bohemia Aug. 7-8 claimed at least four lives, with another person still missing. Recently, less serious flooding also occurred in the Plzeň, Pardubice and south Bohemia regions, as well as Vysočina, which stretches into south Moravia. Enormous hail stones littered the streets of Prague on Sunday night brought by a violent storm that lasted only 30 minutes. Do you think the weather these days validates researchers’ claims about global climate change? Or do you agree with Czech president Václav Klaus that climate change is not a reality? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page. 

Summary of week 17/8 debate: 
Most of you think global climate change is a fact but you disagree on what is causing it. Is it natural or is it the human activity?? And isn’t global climate change just more atractive for media than other problems directly and undeniably caused by humans? Why is that? Nice debate folks, thanks for sharing your ideas with us!

 ***

Week 10/8 Topic

According to recent Which? survey of some 64,000 car owners Škoda came top out of all the world’s car manufacturers for customer satisfaction, for build quality and after-sales service. It even beat out of sight the Audi brand, which is its stablemate in the VW group and which is meant to stand for the highest quality. Neil Lyndon adds: Not only are Škodas the best-built European cars and the best value for money but they are also top-notch to drive. The Octavia vRS is the most satisfying high performance saloon or estate you can buy for less than £35,000. The Yeti is the best of all “soft” off-roaders or urban 4x4s; and the new Superb estate is, for my money, the car of the year (read more in Telegraph article Škoda has the ast laugh). What do you think? Is there still ridicule about owning a Škoda?  Discuss with other expats on our Facebook page. 

Summary of week 10/8 debate: 
Thanks for the great debate. So you love Skoda, you hate Škoda, you think they’re ugly, you think they’re reliable. Most of you have owned one and think it is good value for money. We even heard some old jokes about Škoda so it seems there is still some ridicule about owning Škoda but they have come a long way.

Week 3/8 Topic

What is a better vacation spot: Czech Republic or neighboring countries? Home or away? 

Summary of week 3/8 debate:
Thanks for the great discussion! The majority of you is breaking the Czech tradition of spending holidays at home or in Croatia.. You are planning to spend vacations abroad with warm and hearty smiles. Still, all of you love spending weekends in the CR!

Week 27/7 Topic:

The Czech Republic joined the European Union in 2004. How has Prague changed since then? Has the transition to becoming more modern come at the expense of losing its identity?

The Czech Republic joined the European Union in May 2004. Since then, Prague received more funds from the EU budget and became an even more attractive for tourists from all over world. Many residents welcome newly reconstructed buildings, international companies outsourcing their services to Prague, and popular chains and restaurants opening local branches. Others claim that Prague has lost its atmosphere and is becoming another faceless modern European city. What do you think? Discuss with other expats on our Facebook page. 

Summary of week 27/7 debate:
First week of the BIG debate was a great start for us, 28 comments on Facebook, exchange of ideas and interesting points on how is the CR benefiting from joining the EU. We will continue refining this new feature and hope to hear you all on Facebook !