Daily news summary
Zeman says will appoint Babiš PM whatever referendum outcome
President Miloš Zeman says he will appoint Andrej Babiš prime minister no matter what the outcome of the Social Democrat’s referendum on whether to take part in a coalition government with ANO.
The Czech president made the statement on Wednesday at the Žofín economic forum in Prague. He also repeated that he didn’t favour early elections and said he believed that a government will be formed by the summer.
Andrej Babiš’s ANO party won 78 mandates in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies in October elections last year but has so far failed to create a majority administration.
EC: Czech Republic meets two out of four Euro adoption criteria
The Czech Republic currently meets two out of four conditions for joining the euro zone, according to the European Commission’s Convergence Report reviewing member states’ progress towards euro adoption released on Wednesday.
The report concludes that the Czech Republic fulfils the criteria on public finances and long-term interest rate but doesn’t meet the price stability and the exchange rate criteria.
Along with the Czech Republic, the report covers another six EU member states that are legally committed to adopting the euro, which include Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden. The single European currency is currently used by 19 EU member states.
President Zeman sets date for regional and Senate elections
President Miloš Zeman has set the date for the upcoming Senate and local elections, which will be held on October 5 and 6. The date is yet to be confirmed by the acting Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
Czechs will vote on 27 senatorial posts that will replace one third of the 81 members of Parliament’s upper house. Senators are voted in for a six-year term and one-third of the seats come up for re-election every two years. A second round is held in case no candidate achieves an absolute majority.
Barry Levinson to receive Crystal Globe at Karlovy Vary
US Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson is set to receive the Crystal Globe for his outstanding contribution to world cinema at this year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the festival organizers announced on Wednesday. Among other guests will be Danish actress Trine Dyrholm to present her film Nico, in which she played the lead role as Andy Warhol’s muse.
This year’s 53rd edition of the festival will take place from June 29 to July 7.
Mattoni maker considering bottle deposits but ministry unconvinced
A major Czech drinks maker is considering introducing deposits for plastic bottles, Czech Television reported. Karlovarské minerální vody, which sells the mineral water Mattoni, produced a study with the Institute of Circular Economics suggesting that a full third of plastic bottles in the Czech Republic are not recycled.
The drinks manufacturer said in January that it was considering bringing in deposits for PET bottles. It has commissioned an economic analysis of such a move that should be published in the autumn.
However, the Ministry of the Environment is on the fence about the idea. A spokesperson said it welcomed moves to limit the dumping of wasted but was also concerned that bottle deposits could impact the current system.
Miloš Říha likely to become new coach of Czech hockey team
Miloš Říha is likely to be named as the new head coach of the Czech national ice hockey team, the daily Sport reported on Wednesday. The Czech Ice Hockey Association will appoint him at a meeting in June, but according to the daily, they have already agreed on future cooperation.
Mr Říha will replace former coach Josef Jandač, who stepped down after the world championships and he is heading to KHL’s Magnitogorsk.
Weather
Thursday is expected to be mostly overcast with scattered rain showers and storms. Daytime highs are expected to reach up to 26 degrees Celsius.
