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Czech speed skater Nikola Zdráhalová claimed a silver medal in the 1500 metres at the European Speed Skating Championships, securing the biggest success of her career. Victory went to Norway’s Ragne Wiklund, who also won the 3000 metres earlier in the championships. The 29-year-old Czech entered the race among the medal contenders, having posted the second-fastest time of the season among the starters. Skating in the same pairing as Wiklund, Zdráhalová finished just 0.29 seconds behind the Norwegian winner, underlining her strong form at the continental event.

Corruption, the state of public finances and healthcare are seen as the most pressing problems facing Czechia, according to a survey by Centre for Public Opinion Research (CVVM). Fifty-seven percent of respondents rated corruption as a very urgent issue, followed by public finances at 55 percent and healthcare. Around two fifths also consider energy, the political situation, the economy, immigration and security to be highly urgent. By contrast, culture and the availability of goods and services were seen as least pressing. Opinions were sharply divided on unemployment, human rights and Czechia’s membership in the European Union.

Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil (Civic Democratic Party) has criticised lower house Speaker Tomio Okamura for remarks made in his New Year’s address that triggered diplomatic tensions with Ukraine. Speaking to Czech Radio, Vystrčil said Okamura, leader of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, is failing to act impartially, as he promised after his election, and is instead using the office for personal and party gain. He stressed that the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies represents the Czech Republic first and must respect the country’s foreign policy strategy and differing views in parliament.

MP Filip Turek of the Motorists' party said he will file a lawsuit for protection of personality rights against President Petr Pavel, seeking an apology over the president’s refusal to appoint him environment minister. Turek said Pavel’s reasoning had deeply offended him and again ruled out a competence lawsuit by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. In a letter to Babiš, Pavel said he must protect fundamental constitutional values, including rejection of totalitarian ideologies, arguing that Turek’s past statements and conduct cast doubt on his loyalty to those values, including remarks that praised or downplayed Nazi Germany.