Inappropriate appreciation of the richest Czech
Media . Politics . SocietyThe richest Czech, who died in helicopter crash during a heli-skiing last year in Alaska, Petr
Kellner, does not deserve the Order of the White Lion. But the fact that he was awarded by
President Miloš Zeman cannot surprise many.
The annual awarding of state honors became an indecent farce during the presidency of the
current head of state, but until last year, Zeman also respected the once insurmountable
border.
The highest state order – the Order of the White Lion – has so far usually been awarded either
to the world’s most important statesmen, important members or heroes of the Czechoslovak
or Czech army or members of the anti-Nazi or anti-communist resistence.
During the last ceremony, Zeman turned the granting of orders into gift for his friends,
companions or sponsors. Some of the respectable academics, scientists or athletes even
rejected the orders, because Zeman devalued it, they said.
But why did Kellner earn the Order of the White Lion? According to President Zeman, he
was the “business star” and “the most successful Czech businessman”, but also the man who
made “the Czech Republic prosper”.
But Kellner was not helpful neither economically, nor humanly. He only managed to earn
billions of euros, but without inventing anything revolutionary. One of his most profitable
companies is Home Credit, which provides high-interest consumer loans that could be
labeled as usury. Moreover, his companies do not even tax in the Czech Republic, but in the
Netherlands, so his home country does not even benefit from it in any way, except for the
creation of hundreds of jobs. But his business has damaged many more families and lifes.
He donated part of his astronomical earnings to charity, supported education or medicine.
Because of that at least part of his wealth helped people who were previously impoverished
by his business. Thus, in the end, these activities act more as a relief of his conscience.
I am not against any legal business, the situation with the order is not Kellner’s fault, but
Zeman’s. However, only those with the highest moral behavior should be rewarded by the
highest state order. And that is why it seems very inappropriate to award Kellner.
However, the richest Czech could only blamed himself for his media image. He became
famous as being a “mysterious man”. He did not communicate with the public, did not
explain his actions, did not provide any interviews and, apart from the arranged photos from
PPF’s annual reports, he did not appear much anywhere. By this behavior, he left even more
space for the public and its imagination. Kellner and PPF comunications director refused to
communicate as a modern company and resigned to transparency.
For example, they did not explain their motives for buying the largest Czech television, TN
Nova, which was almost the last large private media house that was not yet in the hands of
Czech oligarchs. It was as if they did not realize the sensitivity of the whole transaction and
the fact that Kellner’s secrets aroused distrust and fear that no one knew what his goals and
motivations were.
Due to the fact that PPF and Kellner were silent about everything, the Czech public cannot
understand why did he deserved the Order of the White Lion. And Zeman’s shallow talk
about how Kellner succeeded in business – without further explanation – would not change
that.
Jakub Grim