News

The Czech government approved a major reform of criminal law focusing on alternative punishments, including fines, and partially decriminalizing certain offenses, Justice Minister Pavel Blažek (Civic Deocratic Party) announced. The reform also loosens restrictions on cannabis cultivation and possession.

Blažek stated that the current penal system is outdated and misaligned with EU standards, and the changes aim to relieve overcrowded prisons, streamline legal proceedings, reduce reoffending, and cut state expenses. Prime Minister Petr Fiala called the reform essential, with the government planning to implement it by the end of its term.

The Prague appeals court has awarded former dissident Jiří Wonka over CZK 41,000 in compensation for injuries inflicted by the Communist police officers in the 1980s. The decision comes 35 years after the fall of the Communist regime and is final, and Wonka will not be required to pay legal fees. Originally, the state granted Wonka around CZK 4,100, an amount the Constitutional Court deemed unreasonably low this summer. Wonka had sought CZK 93,000 in total and filed suit against the Ministry of Justice. A representative from the ministry was absent at the hearing, and the ministry’s response is pending.

At the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party) emphasized the importance of innovation, international collaboration, and global action to tackle the climate crisis. He highlighted nuclear energy as a safe, clean power source and offered to share Czech expertise, drawing on over 50 years of experience.  Fiala stressed the severe impact of climate change, referencing recent floods across Europe, and argued that nuclear power is essential for meeting climate goals. He also commended the EU's commitment to leading international cooperation and noted the willingness of other global players to engage in climate action, despite the absence of some major leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping.

Only 20% of Czechs see the country’s economic situation in a positive light, according to the outcome of a poll conducted by the CVVM agency. Some 45% rate it as poor, and the remainder hold a neutral stance.

However, 64% of respondents feel positively about their household's standard of living, indicating a contrast between personal economic experiences and the broader national outlook.

Although negative views on the economy still dominate, they have decreased since early 2024, when 58% rated the situation poorly.

The poll shows that those who support Prime Minister Petr Fiala's government are more likely to view the economy favorably, while only 10% of government sceptics share this view.