• 10/08/2024

    Tuesday marks the second day of a three-day strike by judicial staff over low wages. While most court buildings remain open, services for the public, such as filing offices, information centers, and phone lines, are limited. Some scheduled hearings are also postponed due to the absence of recording clerks, with participants informed in advance. The strike involves all general courts across the Czech Republic. While judges themselves cannot legally strike, they support the protesting staff. According to the Justice Union, 90% of district court employees and 65% of higher court employees are participating.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/08/2024

    President Petr Pavel has appointed two new ministers to the government of Petr Fiala: Petr Kulhánek of the Mayors and Independents as Minister for Regional Development, and Lukáš Vlček from the same party as Minister of Industry and Trade. Vlček will replace Jozef Síkela who is heading to the European Commission, while Kulhánek will succeed Ivan Bartoš, the outgoing leader of the Pirate Party, who in September was dismissed from his position as Deputy Prime Minister for Digitisation and Minister of Regional Development. Both ministers are taking up their official duties immediately.

    Author: Danny Bate
  • 10/07/2024

    Weather in Czechia will be cloudy with occasional drizzle. High temperatures between 13 and 17°C, around 20°C with sunshine.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/07/2024

    The Czech government will allocate two billion crowns for restoring water infrastructure damaged by recent floods. Municipalities and their associations can apply for the funds starting Wednesday. The money will be distributed through the State Environmental Fund and will cover 100 percent of repair costs not covered by insurance. The funds aim to restore sewage treatment plants, water supply systems, and sewer networks. Environment Minister Petr Hladík (Christian Democrat) stated that if necessary, the allocation could be increased to meet demand. The September floods caused significant damage, particularly in the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/07/2024

    The transition period during which both the new and existing construction permitting systems can be used will last at least 12 months, with no return to paper forms. Electronic applications will remain mandatory. This was announced by Petr Kulhánek, the candidate for Minister for Regional Development (Mayors and Independents). Minister of Transport Martin Kupka (Civic Democratic Party) stated that the government will decide on October 16 whether to continue developing the current digital permitting system or start over, potentially with a new supplier. Kupka was tasked with overseeing the digitalization of construction permits after the dismissal of Ivan Bartoš, whose handling of the project was criticized. The cabinet reshuffle caused by the controversial construction permit system led the Pirate Party to leave the government coalition.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/07/2024

    The September floods caused CZK 3.2 billion in damages to the state-owned forestry company Lesy ČR, primarily affecting watercourses, roads, and forest stands. The hardest-hit areas were in the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions. The restoration of damaged forest infrastructure will take at least two years, with funding coming from the company’s own resources. This year, Lesy ČR will invest CZK 130 million in urgent repairs of watercourses and forest roads. CEO Dalibor Šafařík stated that the most significant damage, totaling CZK 2.9 billion, occurred in watercourses under their management.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/07/2024

    Industrial production in the Czech Republic rose by 1.5% year-on-year in August, marking growth after five months of decline, according to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ). This follows a 1.9% decrease in July. The rise was influenced by the timing of company holidays in the automotive sector. Additionally, new orders increased by more than 10% year-on-year. Industrial production also saw a 1.8% month-on-month increase from July. Growth was primarily driven by the automotive sector, which recorded a 14.4% rise, along with gains in electronics and beverage production.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/07/2024

    Czechia faces a shortage of mental health centers and specialized personnel, with sustainable funding for social care in these centers still lacking, according to an audit by the Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ). The audit focused on European funding for establishing and operating these centers. By the end of 2022, only a third of the planned 100 centers were in operation. Both the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs acknowledge progress since the audit period, but the Audit Office warns that the current challenges could hinder further development.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/07/2024

    The Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra (SOČR) will conclude its three-part Tristan and Isolde project on Monday, with the final act of Richard Wagner’s opera performed under the baton of conductor Petr Popelka. The proceeds from the concert in Prague's Rudolfinum will be donated to the Help with Us fund, supporting senior homes affected by recent floods through the Czech Radio Endowment Fund.  The concert marks the culmination of a three-season-long project, with each season dedicated to one act of Wagner's opera. The final act, set in Brittany's Kareol castle, sees the tragic end of the love story as Tristan dies in Isolde's arms. Norwegian soprano Elisabeth Teige will perform as Isolde, alongside Swedish tenor Michael Weinius as Tristan.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/07/2024

    Judiciary sector employees are on a three day strike from October 7th to the 9th in protest against low wages. Trade Union representatives said the planned salary hikes for next year are insufficient and many employees in the judiciary will remain CZK 5,000 to 6,000 below the average wage in public administration. They argue that fundamental underfunding, inadequate staff capacity and work overload are leading to a loss of ability to ensure timely and high-quality performance. The unions are moreover insisting on a change in financing so that employees in the judiciary would be set apart from the rest of the civil service. Last-minute attempts by the justice minister to avert the strike action failed.

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