• Fischer endorses Pavel for second round
    01/14/2023

    Senator Pavel Fischer, who came fourth in the first round of Czech presidential elections on under 7 percent, has called on people to support Petr Pavel in the second round run-off in two weeks’ time.

    Mr. Fischer said that it was necessary to unite forces against former prime minister Andrej Babiš. He said a decision was being made on placing Czechia in good hands, which Mr. Babiš did not represent.

    Mr. Fischer said he would like to meet Mr. Pavel later on Saturday and offer him his support in the second round, including the billboards he has rented around the country.

    Marek Hilser, who came sixth on less than 3 percent, also said he supported Mr. Pavel in the run-off.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Nerudová warns of threat of Babiš
    01/14/2023

    Danuše Nerudová, an expected frontrunner who came third in the first round of elections for the Czech presidency on around 14 percent, said she would discuss how she would support Petr Pavel, who she referred to as a “democratic candidate”, on Monday. The two met shortly after the conclusion of Saturday’s first round vote count.

    During an earlier speech to supporters when her defeat became clear, Mrs. Nerudová warned of the danger of Andrej Babiš, saying he owned media organisations, parties and MPs and also wanted Prague Castle and the Lány presidential retreat near Prague. However, she stopped short of endorsing Petr Pavel outright in her concession speech.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Pavel to face Babiš for president after close result in first round
    01/14/2023

    Former Czech Army Petr Pavel has won the most votes in the first round of elections to choose the next president of Czechia.

    Mr. Pavel (on 35.40 percent) finished just ahead of ANO leader and ex-prime minister Andrej Babiš (34.99 percent) and the two will now face one another in a second round run-off in two weeks’ time.

    Economist Danuše Nerudová, who had also been considered one of the frontrunners in pre-election polling, came some way behind in third (13.93 percent) in Saturday's vote count.

    Previous polls suggested that either Mr. Pavel or Ms. Nerudová would defeat Mr. Babiš in a run-off for the post of head of state.

    The winner of the second round, which takes place on January 27 and 28, will succeed incumbent Miloš Zeman and become the fourth president of Czechia.

    Voter turnout was a record high for a presidential election, at 68 percent.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Polling stations close in Czech presidential election
    01/14/2023

    The polls closed in elections to choose Czechia’s fourth president at 2 pm on Saturday. The results are expected in the following hours.

    There are eight candidates in the running to succeed Miloš Zeman as head of state. If none get more than 50 percent in the first round, the first and second placed finishers will face off in a second round in a fortnight’s time.

    Turnout in the first round during the last presidential elections in 2018 was 62 percent.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Weather forecast
    01/14/2023

    It should be mainly overcast in Czechia on Sunday, with an average high temperature of 7 degrees Celsius. Temperatures are expected to fall over the following days.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Jiřího z Poděbrad Metro station closes for 10 months
    01/14/2023

    The Prague Metro station Jiřího z Poděbrad is closed from Saturday to allow for the replacement of its escalators. The station on the A (green) line is due to reopen in around 10 months’ time. Trains will pass through the station but will not stop between Flora and Náměstí Míru.

    While this work is going on the station’s underpasses and vestibule will also be closed.

    A project to completely renovate the station began last year and will be completed in 2024, at a cost of CZK 1.29 billion.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Czechs voting in first round of presidential elections
    01/13/2023

    Czechs have started voting in the first round of presidential elections, to replace President Miloš Zeman whose second term in office ends on March 8. Polling stations opened at 2 pm on Friday and will remain open until 10 pm. On Saturday, people can cast their ballot from 8 am until 2 pm. The results should be announced on Saturday afternoon.

    If, as expected, none of the eight candidates taking part receive more than 50 percent in the first round a second run-off vote will be held in a fortnight’s time.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Lower house to convene for no-confidence vote in Fiala government next week
    01/13/2023

    The lower house will convene for a no-confidence vote in the Fiala government on Tuesday, January 17, Deputy Speaker Věra Kovářová announced on Friday. The no-confidence vote has been instigated by the opposition ANO party, which collected enough signatures to push it though. The party claims the government is not doing enough to address people’s problems. However since the ruling coalition has a majority in the lower house, it is certain to survive the no-confidence motion.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Weather forecast
    01/13/2023

    Saturday should be partly cloudy to overcast with rain in the western parts of the country and day temperatures between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius.

  • Individuals could face steep fines for sending unsolicited marketing emails
    01/13/2023

    In future individuals could face fines of up to 100,000 crowns for sending out unsolicited marketing emails without the recipient's consent. The penalty for unsolicited marketing mails sent by companies will be 10 million euros, as it has been to date. The draft amendment to the law put forward by the Office for Personal Data Protection was approved by the lower house on Friday and will now go to the Senate.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

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