Daily news summary
Czech foreign trade surplus down by CZK 8.2bn y/y in May
The Czech external trade balance in goods ended in a surplus of 6.9 billion crowns in May, down 8.2 billion crowns in annual terms, according to preliminary data published by the Czech Statistical Office on Monday.
Year−on−year, the total balance was unfavourably influenced mainly by a decrease of surplus in 'motor vehicles' and a larger deficit in 'coke and refined petroleum products', 'other transport equipment' and 'chemicals and chemical products'. A lower deficit in 'computer, electronic and optical products' had the main positive effect on the total trade balance.
From January to May, the trade balance surplus reached 80.9 billion crowns, a decrease of 13.2 billion crowns in annual terms. From the start of 2018, exports decreased by 2.6% year-on-year and imports increased by 0.6%.
Illegal migration to Germany via Czech Republic down since March
The flow of illegal migrants to Germany through the Czech Republic has dropped since March, Interior Minister Jan Hamáček (Social Democrats) told the Czech News Agency, following a weekend meeting between German and Czech police officials.
Hamáček, who is currently also acting as the Czech foreign minister, credited increased cooperation between the countries’ police forces for stemming the tide. He did not provide specific figures. But his overall assessment contradicted that of Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, who said the traffic was on the rise and has called for the Schengen border between Slovenia and Croatia to be protected by its own Frontex mission.
Most illegal migrants travelling on the so-called Balkan Route pass through Slovenia and Austria before arriving in Germany.
Communists pledge to support minority government in confidence vote
The Communist Party will support the newly-appointed government of ANO and the Social Democrats at its upcoming vote of confidence on Wednesday, the Czech News Agency reported on Monday, citing the pre-negotiated tolerance agreement between the Communists and the ANO Party.
The leaders of the Communist Party and ANO, Vojtěch Filip and Andrej Babiš, are set to sign the tolerance agreement on Tuesday. The Communist Party linked its support to a number of conditions, including a minimum wage hike and support for a law taxing Church restitutions
Number of Czech dollar millionaires increases to 28,140
The number of dollar millionaires in the Czech Republic has increased to 28,140, which is an increase of nearly 11 per cent on the previous year, according to figures released by the consultancy Capgemini on Monday.
The combined wealth of Czech dollar millionaires increased by 13 per cent over the past year, to 68.5 billion US dollars. Among the main factors behind the growing number of wealthy Czechs is the country’s increasing GDP and growing real estate prices as well as the strengthening of local investment markets.
Czech tourists died in Austrian Alps
A Czech hiker reported missing in Austria has been found dead, local police wrote on their Twitter account on Monday. The 62-year-old tourist got lost in the Dachstein Mountains in the Austrian Alps due to heavy fog. His body was discovered by rescuers on Monday.
More than 40 bands to perform at this year’s Masters of Rock
More than 40 bands from all over the world are set to perform at the 16th annual Masters of Rock festival, which gets underway in Vizovice in south Moravia on Thursday.
Among the main headliners of this year’s edition of Masters of Rock will be the German speed metal legend Helloween and metal group Powerwolf. The festival, which attracts around 25,000 visitors each year, will wrap up on Sunday with a performance by Kiss frontman Gene Simmons.
Weather
Tuesday is expected to be overcast with scattered showers and daytime highs ranging between 19 and 23 degrees Celsius.
