As a Civil Servant

"Tracking the development of the Office for the Protection of Competition means covering a quarter of a century of the institution’s existence, during which time it has grown from its original seven employees to 234. Gradually, the Office also gained confidence, acquired competence and proved capable of uncovering major cases and dealing with them. The author clearly summarises the history of competition in our country and, using specific examples, demonstrates the Office’s interventions in public procurement, monopoly agreements and mergers. The history of the ÚOHS can thus be viewed as the history of the development of business in the Czech Republic. The book also includes interviews with some members of the Office’s management, a brief glossary of basic terms, and the legal provisions with which the Office works. It also contains the author’s brief, humorous recollections of the fourteen years he spent at the antitrust office, during which, in the role of spokesperson and later head of the press department, he served under a total of three chairmen - Josef Bednář, Martin Pecina and Petr Rafaj. The publication will serve as supplementary reading for students of economics and management. It will also certainly appeal to those who follow business activities in the Czech Republic or participate in public procurement. None of them will be disappointed. Kristián Chalupa is witty, original and able to recount serious topics in an engaging way."