News

Lower house abolishes health care fees

The lower house of Parliament on Friday abolished health fees, introduced at the beginning of this year as part of the government’s health care reform. The opposition Social Democrats and the Communists, who are strictly against the fees, have found support among a few government coalition deputies, who didn’t take part in the vote. The decision of the lower house still needs to be approved by the Senate, which is likely to reject it. Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek told journalists on Friday that the government will prepare a new proposal for the debate so that the law would be acceptable for the government coalition. Under the government’s health care reform, Czechs have to pay CZK 30 per visit to the doctor’s, and twice that amount per day spent in hospital.

Czech forces to remain abroad for next two months

The government has approved maintaining Czech forces abroad over the period of next two months. The decision was made at an emergency session on Friday, after the lower house of Parliament rejected a proposal on the deployment of Czech troops in foreign missions in 2009. The proposal drafted by the Czech Defense Ministry envisaged reinforcing the country’s military presence in Afghanistan and maintaining 550 servicemen in Kosovo. Although Prime Minister Topolánek offered a number of concessions, the opposition overturned the proposal with the aid of a number of independents. Under the Czech law, the government has the right to maintain Czech forces abroad for a period of 60 days.

PM: failure to approve foreign missions breaches Czech NATO commitment

The failure to approve Czech participation in foreign missions in 2009 is a breach of the country’s commitment to NATO, Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has said. Speaking to the journalists after a meeting of the board of the Civic Democrats, Mr Topolánek said that by giving up its fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, the Czech Republic threatens its safety. He also added that it was Jiří Paroubek, the leader of the opposition Social Democrats, who was personally responsible for endangering lives of Czech soldiers abroad.

Christian Democrats call on their deputy to give up his mandate

The Christian Democratic Party has called on its deputy Ludvík Hovorka, who contributed to the defeat of the government coalition in the two important votes in the lower house, to give up his mandate by the end of the year. Mr Hovorka, who often voted with the opposition in the past, abstained from the vote on the health care fees and Czech troops in foreign missions.

Poll: Social Democrats would win general elections now

A new poll suggests Social Democratic Party would win the general election if it was held now with a lead of about 16 percent on the Civic Democrats, the largest party in the governing coalition. According to the survey, conducted by the STEM agency, the Social Democrats would win about 40 percent of the vote, while the ruling Civic Democrats would only gain about 24 percent. The preferences of the Social Democrats have increased by more than 5 percent since October. The Communists came third in the poll, with more than 11 percent of respondents voting for them.

Czech doctors from Kabul hospital return to Prague

The remaining personnel from the Czech military field hospital in Kabul returned to Prague on Friday, ending the withdrawal of the medical staff from Afghanistan that started in summer. Over the past five months, Czech doctors treated more than 2000 people and performed more than 100 surgeries. The field hospital was set up in 2007 as part of NATO’s peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.

CSOB bank to sack several hundred employees

The Czech Republic’s biggest bank, CSOB, is planning to sack several hundred employees, the daily Mladá fronta Dnes reported. The bank’s press spokesman has confirmed that the bank is planning to take saving measures that include reducing staff numbers by several percent. There are currently around 10,000 people working in the bank, including the offices in Slovakia. CSOB is the only Czech bank so far which has announced plans to cut down its workforce.

Bethlehem light arrives in the Czech Republic

The Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, and wife of the Czech president Livia Klausová have taken over the symbolic Bethlehem Light from scouts in St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle. The scouts will now distribute the Bethlehem Light by train all over the country. Until Christmas Eve people can come to the cathedral to light their own candles. The Bethlehem Light tradition was established by the Austrian radio station ORF in 1986. In the Czech Republic, this tradition started after the fall of communist regime in 1989.

Woody Allen in Prague

American director, actor and occasional clarinettist Woody Allen is scheduled to play a concert at the Congress Centre in Prague on Saturday night with his New Orleans Jazz Band. The legendary film-maker has also met with president Václav Klaus at Prague Castle.

Weather

The weekend is expected to be overcast with rain or sleet showers and day temperatures around 3 degrees Celsius.