News

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Petr Pavel has granted permission to 99 Czech citizens to serve in the Ukrainian armed forces, his spokesman Filip Platoš said. A year ago, the number stood at around 60. Czech nationals must obtain presidential consent before joining a foreign army; otherwise, they risk prosecution. Those who left without approval can later request a pardon co-signed by the prime minister. The statement comes shortly after a Russian court sentenced a Czech woman in absentia to 13 years in prison for allegedly fighting for Ukraine—a ruling Prague views with skepticism.

Hollywood actor Richard Gere has expressed gratitude to Czech President Petr Pavel and to the Czech people for their long-standing support of Tibet. In a special video message, Gere also recalled the close friendship between Václav Havel and the Dalai Lama, describing it as an inspiration that continues to connect Czechia with the Tibetan cause. The message was shown at Tuesday's gala Dalai Lama 90, Havel 89 at Prague’s Vinohradské divadlo, celebrating the spiritual and moral legacy of the Dalai Lama and the former Czech president. The event took place under the patronage of President Pavel.

Annual inflation in Czechia accelerated to 2.5 percent in October from 2.3 percent in September, the Czech Statistical Office confirmed, matching its preliminary estimate from last week. The increase was driven mainly by higher food prices. Month-on-month, consumer prices rose by 0.5 percent. “The development of consumer prices in October was again significantly affected by food and non-alcoholic beverages, which accelerated their year-on-year growth to 3.6 percent. Compared to the previous month, their prices rose by 1.1 percent,” said Pavla Šedivá, head of the consumer price statistics department at the Czech Statistical Office.

The Czech Chamber of Deputies opens its second session this afternoon following October’s general election. Lawmakers will again focus mainly on internal business, including Friday’s second round of voting for deputy speakers. Today, MPs are expected to approve the seating plan by party groups, fill committee memberships and establish standing commissions overseeing institutions such as the National Security Authority and the Financial Analytical Office. In the deputy speaker vote, Jan Skopeček of Civic Democrats (ODS) and Olga Richterová of the Pirates will try again after failing in the first round, where Patrik Nacher (ANO Party) and Jiří Barták (Motorists’ party) were elected.