Václav Moravec said near the end of his OVM debate show on Sun.that, “Pavel Simon will most likely not get confirmation in the Sen-ate” when a vote is taken this week. Martin Řezníček, Moravec’scolleague at Czech TV, took the same approach in an interview withconstitutional lawyer Jan Kysela last Wed. by saying, “After Mr.Fremr, it looks like Mr. Simon won’t pass either.” Kysela, an adviser toPres. Petr Pavel, had toadmonish Řezníček that Robert Fremr with-drew his nomination and that Řezníček’s statement was thereforefalse. Moravec and Řezníček have written Simon off as a candidateto the Constitutional Court on the basis of votes in two Senate com-mittees that went 5-3 and 4-1 against Simon. Yet the two committeeshave 18 members (10 and 8), which means that only half (9) activelyvoted against Simon. That is hardly a convincing defeat. Senatorshave every right to confirm or not to confirm Simon for whateverreason they deem relevant, but the public media shouldn’t try to influence the final vote by joining the wider hatchet job against him. Adistinguished judge deserves better, whatever his blemishes.

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