News

One of Czechia's key railway junctions for both passenger and freight transport is about to undergo a major renovation that will span several years. Extensive work in Česká Třebová is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. A similar renovation is also planned for the Hradec Králové railway station this year. The government has allocated 39 billion crowns for railway infrastructure investments in 2025, which includes the development of the initial sections of the "fast connections" network.

The Česká Třebová station is one of the largest rail yards in Europe, with several hundred trains passing through daily, and freight containers being transshipped here. The main corridors to Prague, Brno, and Olomouc also pass through this station.

A total of 160 billion CZK is allocated for transportation this year, with the majority directed towards the motorway network, which the government aims to complete by 2033. In the coming years, however, a greater share of public funds will be focused on rail transport.

Starting today, gun dealers are required to report suspicious purchases to the police. This measure is part of an amendment to the gun law, introduced by lawmakers following last year's tragedy at Charles University in Prague. Additionally, dealers must monitor and report any concerning behavior exhibited by customers, such as confusion, apathy, or high levels of stress.

The Interior Ministry states that suspicious purchases can be reported via the 158 emergency line. The police have also set up a new toll-free 24-hour hotline for dealers, and reports can be made through an app within the Central Weapons Register.

A proposed amendment aims to enhance recruitment efforts and retain personnel in the Czech army. The changes include higher recruitment bonuses and benefits for soldiers, relaxed criminal record requirements for enlistment, and a new obligation for soldiers to report travel outside EU and NATO countries. The Ministry of Defense estimates the annual cost of these measures at 375 million crowns, which it plans to cover within its existing budget without seeking additional funding.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the amendment is vital for addressing staffing shortages and ensuring the army can fulfill its service obligations. The ministry is pushing for accelerated approval in the Chamber of Deputies, hoping to pass the law in its first reading and implement it by July 2025.

The amendment also introduces a lump-sum recruitment allowance and raises benefits for serving soldiers, including stabilization, housing, and service-abroad allowances. While the basic stabilization allowance will remain at 7,000 crowns per month, it could increase up to tenfold for specialized roles or activities.

As of early 2024, the army comprised 27,826 professional soldiers and 4,266 active reserve members. Plans aim to increase these numbers to 30,000 professionals and 10,000 reservists by 2030.

The Spolu coalition aims to prioritize security and foreign policy in its campaign leading up to this year's parliamentary elections. In a video released on New Year's Day, Prime Minister Petr Fiala expanded on themes from his Christmas speech, addressing what he referred to as "fear mongers." He described the upcoming year as pivotal and framed it as a choice between the country's alignment with either the East or the West.

Political analysts suggest that Fiala is positioning himself as the primary challenger to ANO leader Andrej Babiš while implying that other parties cannot effectively oppose him. Analysts also anticipate that the opposition will concentrate on domestic issues.