Updated 06:51
12/11/2023, 06:09
Former foreign minister and honorary chairman of TOP 09 Karel Schwarzenberg died at the age of 85. Former finance minister Miroslav Kalousek (TOP 09) announced his death on the social network. For the past few days, Schwarzenberg has been hospitalized in a hospital in Vienna.
“I knew it was coming, but it’s still a blow. He was one of the most important and kindest people in my life. May he rest in peace, the Czech Republic should be forever grateful to him for everything he selflessly did for it, ” wrote Miroslav Kalousek on https://twitter.com/kalousekm/status/1723513617151078604
Due to his poor health, Schwarzenberg had to be under the constant care of doctors. He was hospitalized in the General University Hospital in Prague for more than a month. He was subsequently flown to a Vienna hospital at the beginning of this week.
He decided to undergo treatment abroad mainly because of family visits. “Those hospitals are of the same quality, but here are my children and grandchildren,” Schwarzenberg himself explained to the editors of TN.cz a few days ago. You can learn more in this article on TN.cz.
According to his assistant Michal Pastorek, the reason for Schwarzenberg’s longer stay in the hospital was inflammation. It was precisely because of his hospitalization that he could not personally receive the Order of the White Lion, i.e. the highest Czech state award, on October 28. Among other things, he suffered from heart and kidney problems.
The politician died on Saturday. According to information from the Echo24 portal, Schwarzenberg was in critical condition for the past two days and doctors kept him in artificial sleep.
Karel Schwarzenberg was born on December 10, 1937 into one of the most famous noble families. The Schwarzenberg family has its roots in the Middle Ages. The family also fought against Nazi and Communist occupation. Schwarzenberg lived abroad until 1989, then after the November Revolution he became Chancellor of President Václav Havel.
Schwarzenberg himself was very active politically. In the government of Petr Nečas (ODS) between 2010 and 2013, he served as deputy chairman and as minister of foreign affairs. He also led diplomacy in the government of Mirko Topolánek (ODS) from 2007 to 2009.
Together with Miroslav Kalousko, he founded the TOP 09 party in June 2009. In the fall of the same year, he was elected its leader. He remained at the helm until 2015, when he became honorary chairman.
Schwarzenberg also had presidential ambitions. In the first direct presidential election held in 2013, he made it to the second round. There, however, he lost to Miloš Zeman, who defeated him with a difference of 470,000 votes. During his political career, Schwarzenberg placed great emphasis on democracy and the fight against totalitarian regimes. He also supported green politics, integration into the European Union (EU) and church restitution.
TN.cz
