News

Central bank warns Czech Republic heading into recession

The Czech central bank has warned that the country is heading into a recession, radically altering its forecast for the country’s economic growth to red numbers, predicting a 0.3 percent decline. It is the first time the country could slide into a recession in a decade. The bank’s governor, Zdeněk Tůma, called the prospect for this year’s growth a “negative zero”, citing falling exports as the major cause. The central bank also slashed interest rates by 0.5 percent on Thursday to a record low of 1.75 percent. The move was expected, given the low level of inflation in the Czech Republic and the grim economic outlook for 2009.

Lower house passes controversial ban on publishing of police wiretap transcripts

The Chamber of Deputies has passed an amendment to the Czech penal code banning the publication – or broadcasting - of police wiretap material by the media. The amendment introduces prison sentences of up to five years for anyone who publishes transcripts of conversations recorded by police, which critics say will threaten the freedom of the press. Until now, the Czech media relied regularly on police transcripts to point to connections, for example, in organised crime. It is the second time the lower house has passed the amendment, after it was rejected by the Senate. Other parts of the law deal with protecting the identities of victims of violent crimes. The amendment must still be signed by the president before coming into effect.

Lisbon referendum bill through second reading

A referendum bill on the Lisbon treaty, proposed by the Communist Party, has passed in a second reading, meaning that the lower house’s legal committee will now deal with the legislation. The Communists are seeking a referendum on the Lisbon treaty on the grounds the document, which aims to reform the functioning of the 27-member bloc, will fundamentally change the conditions of the Czechs’ membership. A recent poll suggested that a majority of the public (64 percent) is in favour of ratifying the treaty. In all, 25 other countries have now backed the document in parliament, while Irish voters rejected it in a referendum last June.

Trade and Industry minister criticises proposal by French president

Czech politicians on Friday strongly criticised a proposal by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to “re-localise” French carmakers' foreign units to France, an apparent aim to boost domestic employment in the current economic downturn. The French president made the comment on Thursday on French TV, referring directly to the Czech Republic, where PSA Peugeot Citroen has a joint venture with Toyota, building cars for the export market. On Friday, Czech Industry and Trade Minister Martin Říman said he did not believe the carmaker would relocate. He called Mr Sarkozy’s statement “dangerous” citing it as evidence that “protectionism [was] gaining strength in Europe”. Others, such as shadow trade minister Milan Urban, also criticised the French president.

E15: government allegedly against accepting Guantanamo prisoners

The Czech business daily E15 has reported that the country’s centre-right government is allegedly ruling out the possibility of the country accepting suspects from the United States' prison in Guantanamo Bay. The Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg told the newspaper that the decision to accept [prisoners] would “not be fortunate” for the Czech Republic, saying he did not support such a solution. US President Barack Obama ordered the controversial prison to be closed within a year, after he was sworn into office in January. The European Parliament this week welcomed the decision for the prison to be closed and called on EU countries to accept some of the inmates.

Topolánek to meet EC head to discus economic crisis

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek is to meet with the head of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and other commission members next week to discuss the global economic crisis. The meeting is to take place on Wednesday – roughly a month after the Czech Republic took up the rotating EU presidency. The EU has earmarked 200 billion euros to help boost the European economy but will now focus on how the funds will be applied. Next month will see an EU summit in Brussels on the issue.

Odien expresses interest in ČSA

The Odien financial group, which owns the Čedok travel agency in the Czech Republic, has expressed an interest in buying the national carrier, ČSA. Others interested in the Czech national airline include Aeroflot and Travel service. The Finance Ministry announced the official tender on the carrier on Thursday. The Czech government is hoping to sell its 91-percent stake in the airliner for 5 billion crowns, or more than 260 million US dollars.

Former child actress in much-loved children's film dies at 41

The DPA news agency has reported that Czech-born film director Dana Vávrová - best known for her performance as a child actor in the children’s film Ať žijí duchové – has died in Germany at the age of 41. During her career Mrs Vávrová also directed numerous projects in Germany as well as the more recent children’s film Hurá na Medvěda (Bear on the Run). Mrs Vávrová had been suffering from cancer.

Czechs lose to Finland at LG Hockey Games

The Czech Republic lost against Finland in its first match of the final leg of the Euro Hockey Tour, the LG Hockey Games. The Czechs led the match on goals from Čajánek and Vrbata, but the Finns rallied several times to tie the game and outplayed the Czechs in the 3rd period to win 5:3.

Weather

Partly cloudy conditions are expected into the weekend. Daytime temperatures on Saturday are expected to reach highs of around 8 degrees Celsius.