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President Petr Pavel has signed a law introducing Czech Flag Day on March 30 as a new national observance. The proposal, put forward by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Radek Vondráček, aims to highlight the national flag as a symbol of sovereignty and identity. The date marks the adoption of the Czechoslovak flag in 1920. The Senate had proposed a broader focus on all state symbols instead, but this was not approved. Unlike public holidays, the observance will remain a regular working day.

Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (Motorists Party) is finalising a new military development strategy through 2040, expected to be presented in May. The plan aims to meet NATO capability targets while reflecting national priorities. According to Zůna, the immediate focus will be on recruiting professional soldiers, supported by stronger demographic cohorts in the coming years. After 2030, when population trends are expected to worsen, the strategy may shift toward other priorities. Defence spending is also set to rise, as Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO Party) acknowledged the country currently falls short of NATO’s two-percent-of-GDP benchmark. Opposition parties plan to raise the issue in parliament.

Czechs are increasingly worried about rising energy prices amid global geopolitical tensions, with nearly half of households planning savings measures, according to a survey by Ipsos for ČEZ. Interest is shifting toward long-term solutions such as solar panels, heat pumps and more efficient boilers. At the same time, many households are seeking advice from suppliers on how to reduce consumption. Concerns about international conflict remain high and are influencing expectations of further price increases. The survey also shows growing awareness of new energy trends, including electricity sharing and storage, although knowledge of dynamic tariffs and community energy remains limited.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO Party) is travelling from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, where he is due to meet his counterpart Olzhas Bektenov in Astana. The visit includes a business forum and a tour of an artificial intelligence research centre, with Industry Minister Karel Havlíček (also ANO) accompanying the delegation. Energy is expected to feature prominently, as Babiš has signalled interest in oil supplies. Kazakhstan is one of the European Union’s key suppliers, ranking second after the United States. The trip will continue with talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev before Babiš heads to Uzbekistan to meet Shavkat Mirziyoyev.