• 03/20/2026

    The minister of culture, Oto Klempíř, says he will provide outline information within two weeks on government plans to end the license fee system of funding public broadcasters Czech Television and Czech Radio.

    Mr. Klempíř said that the future model of financing the broadcasters had not been clarified within the governing coalition of ANO, Freedom and Direct Democracy and his own party, the Motorists.

    Opposition politicians say it will not be possible for the government to push through the abolition of license fees by the start of next year.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 03/20/2026

    Prague’s Českomoravská Metro station reopened on Friday morning after a 14-month break for renovations. City officials had been keen to get the station, which is on the network’s B line, back in action prior to the World Figure Skating Championships, which start at the nearby O2 Arena next Tuesday.

    Českomoravská’s original ceramic tiles were replaced with glass panels with bubbles by leading Czech designer Maxim Velčovský.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 03/20/2026

    It should be mainly overcast in Czechia on Saturday, with an average high temperature of 9 degrees Celsius. The following days are expected to see highs of 12 or 13 degrees Celsius.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 03/20/2026

    Czech President Petr Pavel has signed this year’s state budget, which envisages a deficit of CZK 310 billion. When the relevant law appears on the statute books this will bring to an end a provisional budget that has been operating since the start of this year.

    The head of state has in the past criticised the fact that the budget for 2026 will see a cut in spending on defence, a stance echoed by Czechia’s fellow NATO member the United States. The ANO-led Czech government argues that the state has different spending priorities.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 03/20/2026

    President Petr Pavel is set to sign the state budget on Friday. Once the law is published in the official collection of laws, the country’s budget provisional will end and the new budget will take effect.

    The budget approved by the lower house foresees a deficit of CZK 310 billion this year. Pavel has repeatedly criticised the level of defence spending in the plan and warned about the risk of failing to meet Czechia’s commitments to NATO.

    The National Budget Council has also criticised the proposal, saying the deficit exceeds limits set by the country’s budget responsibility law, a claim the finance ministry rejects.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 03/20/2026

    Sparta Prague were knocked out of the Europa Conference League on Thursday after a heavy 4–0 home defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie.

    The Dutch side advanced with a 6–1 aggregate victory, having already won the first leg 2–1.

    It was Sparta’s fourth defeat in their last five competitive matches, capping a difficult run for the Prague club.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 03/19/2026

    Fuel stations in Czechia have gradually been lowering their margins since fighting began in Iran and after the Finance Ministry launched price monitoring, the ministry said on Thursday.

    Typical diesel margins fell from CZK 2.70–3.20 per litre before the crisis to CZK 1.90–2.60 after the conflict began, and later dropped to around CZK 1 following the start of monitoring. Petrol margins remained around CZK 2.35–2.60 before and shortly after the outbreak of fighting, later declining to about CZK 2.10.

    The ministry analysed data from 2,530 filling stations between February 16 and March 15, with monitoring introduced six days after the conflict began on February 28.

    Fuel prices have nevertheless risen sharply. Diesel now averages CZK 43.15 per litre and petrol CZK 39.04, both several crowns higher than at the end of February.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 03/19/2026

    The Czech system for preventing conflicts of interest is well set up, the Ministry for Regional Development has told the European Commission. The response came after Brussels asked how Czechia prevents a potential conflict of interest involving Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

    The commission also sought assurances that the Agrofert holding would not receive EU funds until the situation is fully clarified. Babiš transferred all shares in the company to a private trust earlier this year to address the issue.

    The European Commission sent its letter in February and asked for a response within one month. The Czech ministry said it had answered all the commission’s questions.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 03/19/2026

    Culture Minister Oto Klempíř has dismissed Alicja Knast as director of the National Gallery in Prague, the news site Deník N reported, citing sources from inside the institution. The ministry is expected to announce a competition for a new director in the coming months.

    The National Gallery will be temporarily led by Olga Kotková, who has until now headed the gallery’s collection of old art.

    Knast took over the gallery in January 2021 for a six-year term. However, her leadership has long faced criticism from parts of the cultural community and the professional public.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 03/19/2026

    The share of counterfeit cigarettes on the Czech market rose to about 6.5 percent in the final quarter of last year, according to a survey by the Czech Association for Branded Products. That corresponds to roughly 800 million cigarettes.

    The findings are based on research that collects empty cigarette packs from streets and public bins across the country. The association says the share of fake cigarettes has almost doubled in the past two years.

    Counterfeit cigarettes are most common near the Polish border, likely due to the price difference between cigarettes in the two countries. Experts warn the fakes can be difficult to distinguish from genuine products and may also pose health risks.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková

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