News
Lower house passes bill phasing out rent control
The lower house has passed a bill under which state-controlled rent should increase by 14.2 percent annually between 2007 and 2010. Some 750,000 flats in the Czech Republic have controlled rent, which is about one fifth of all apartments in the country. At present, a dual system exists with the market rent of an identical flat in the same apartment building being several times higher than that of one subject to control. The bill has yet to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President.
Lower house approves bill on compulsory purchase of land
Czech MPs have also approved a bill on compulsory purchase of land for projects in the public interest. This should give the state an instrument to speed up construction of major infrastructure projects, such as roads and railways. The bill has to go before the Senate and be signed by the President.
President signs tax reduction law
President Vaclav Klaus has signed a law reducing income tax rates on low and medium incomes. As of next year, people who earn less than 20,000 crowns (830 dollars) a month will save some 4,000 crowns a year. For people with salaries below 30,000 crowns a month, taxes will be reduced by almost 3,000 crowns a year.
Czech foreign minister discusses Putin visit in Moscow
The Czech foreign minister, Cyril Svoboda, met senior officials, including his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday. Plans for the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, to visit Prague were one of the main items on the agenda. However, speculation that President Putin, who has not visited the Czech Republic in his post, would come to Prague at the beginning of next year was not confirmed. Minister Svoboda and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov agreed that relations between the Czech Republic and Russia were good.
On Monday Foreign Minister Svoboda opened a new embassy in the capital of Moldova, Chisenau. Previously, the Czech Embassy in the neighbouring state of Romania was responsible for Czech diplomatic relations in the former Soviet state.
Constitutional Court rules some restitution claims can be made after deadline
The Constitutional Court has ruled that some claims for the return of property confiscated under communism can be made after the end of this year. Both direct restituents and their heirs will be able to make restitution claims after December 31st, which had been set as the final cut-off date. Last month the Social Democrats and the Communist Party voted against a bill to extend the date until the end of 2009.
Lower house approves scholarships for students from poor families
The lower house has approved an amendment to the law on university education introducing scholarships for students from low-income families. Under the law, some 13,000 students could be paid 1,600 crowns (65 dollars) a month. The amendment had been passed by the Senate earlier and it only remains to be signed by the President.
Pope Benedict XVI to visit Prague in September
Cardinal Miloslav Vlk has said that Pope Benedict XVI might visit the Czech Republic in September next year when he is due to travel to his native German state of Bavaria. Cardinal Vlk had invited the Pope during his last month's trip to the Vatican. The Pope's visit was also discussed by President Vaclav Klaus and the Papal Nuncio to the Czech Republic Diego Causero during their meeting on Tuesday.
Man suffers second-degree burns in self-immolation attempt
A 22-year old man set himself on fire on Tuesday morning near a petrol station in the town of Benesov, south of Prague. The man poured petrol over himself and set himself alight. He suffered second-degree burns on his head, neck, chest and arms and was rushed to hospital.
Weather
The next couple of days should have partly cloudy skies with a chance of rain or sleet in most of the country. Daytime temperatures should range between 0 and 3 degrees Celsius.
