• 09/30/2024

    The Pirate Party is searching for a new leader and nominating candidates for leadership posts in the wake of the party’s dismal showing in the regional and Senate elections last week, after which the entire party leadership resigned. Several prominent party members have already declined the nomination for party chair, including outgoing Pirate Vice-Chair Jana Holomčík Leitnerová and Jakub Michálek, head of the Pirate Party’s deputies group in the lower house.  Among those nominated for the top post are  Senator Lukáš Wagenknecht, the governor of the Plzeň region Rudolf Špoták, Olomouc Region councillor Martin Šmída and Senator Adéla Šípová.

  • 09/30/2024

    The Ministry of Defence has not corrected some of the deficiencies identified in earlier audits, the Supreme Audit Office said on Monday. Specifically it stated that the ministry had failed to implement four of eleven recommended measures following a previous audit and only partially implemented two. According to the auditors, the renovation of selected military sites is falling behind schedule and there is a serious risk that the army will fail to build facilities in time for the military equipment it is buying. The Supreme Audit Office says the ministry has also failed to introduce a system for ordering and distributing equipment for the army.

  • 09/30/2024

    President Petr Pavel is meeting separately with the leaders of all five coalition parties on Monday to discuss the implications of the Pirate Party’s departure from the government following the dismissal of their leader Ivan Bartoš from government posts. The Pirates’ decision to walk out of the government, which is being sanctioned by an online vote, will necessitate a cabinet re-shuffle. The party’s two other ministers - Minister for Legislation Michal Šalomoun and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský will both submit their resignations, although the latter has said he will also leave the Pirate Party. The change of guard will also affect ten deputy ministers from the Pirate Party and possibly also the Deputy Chair of the Chamber of Deputies, Olga Richterová.

    Ivan Bartoš said earlier that the Pirate Party would leave the government and the ruling coalition after their deputies’ club meeting on Tuesday.

  • 09/30/2024

    A group of Czech nationals were exploited as modern-day slaves in a UK branch of McDonald’s and in a pastry factory, the BBC has reported. According to its findings, a criminal gang exploited 16 vulnerable individuals from Czechia over a period of more than four years, while the companies involved allegedly ignored warning signs.

    The victims, many of whom were homeless or struggling with drug addiction, were forced to work in either a fast-food restaurant or a factory supplying baked goods to major supermarket chains.

    Although they were paid at least the legal minimum wage, nearly all of their earnings were seized by the gang. In some cases, four workers' wages were paid into a single account. The exploited individuals were living in cramped, substandard conditions, while their earnings were used to fund the gang’s luxury lifestyle.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 09/30/2024

    Thirteen personalities from the field of science, culture, sport and public life were awarded the Silver Commemorative Medal of the Senate by the Speaker of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, on Sunday, on the occasion of Czech Statehood Day on September 28.

    This year‘s laureates include the dean of the Faculty of Arts at Charles University, Eva Lehečková, former diplomat Michael Žantovský and actor Ivan Trojan.

    The tradition of honouring people who excel in their profession and have contributed to promoting the good name of the Czech Republic abroad was established in 2012.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 09/29/2024

    Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala wants to have the structure of the ruling coalition finalised by Wednesday, with the cabinet fully functional within two weeks.

    Speaking to CNN Prima News on Sunday, Mr Fiala did not rule out scrapping the post of Minister for Legislation if the Pirate Party exits the government. In that case, the Ministries of Regional Development and Foreign Affairs could be headed by the Mayors and Independents and Civic Democrats.

    The Prime Minister also said that the coalition will not seek a vote of confidence in the lower house following the Pirates' departure, and the government’s programme will remain unchanged.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 09/29/2024

    Monday will be partly cloudy with scattered showers and day temperatures ranging between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius.

  • 09/29/2024

    The Czech army will deploy approximately 1,000 soldiers to assist villages hit by the recent floods, Defence Minister Jana Černochová announced on Sunday. According to the minister, 900 soldiers, including 60 reservists, and 200 pieces of equipment are already helping on the ground.

    On Friday, the Defence Ministry announced plans to construct two dozen temporary bridges in the flood-affected areas, primarily in the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions. The first bridge will be installed in the town of Bělá pod Pradědem in the Jeseník district.

    In addition to engineers, the army has deployed medics, pilots, and meteorologists to assist in the relief efforts. The duration of the military's involvement will depend on the evolving needs of the regions.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 09/29/2024

    The Pirate Party will leave the government and the ruling coalition after the deputies’ club meeting on Tuesday, the outgoing chair and Deputy Prime Minister and Regional Development Minister Ivan Bartoš said in a debate programme on Czech Television on Saturday. Mr. Bartoš also said Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský and Legislation Minister Michal Šalomoun will hand in their resignation on that day.

    Prime Minister Petr Fiala proposed the dismissal of Mr. Bartoš from government posts on Tuesday citing issues with the digitalization of the construction process. The Pirate Party’s national forum is currently underway on whether to exit the government. All 1,161 members of the Pirate Party can vote until Monday evening.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 09/29/2024

    Czech tennis player Tomáš Macháč advanced into the semi-finals of the Japan Open after beating American qualifier Alex Michelsen 7-6, 6-3 in Tokyo on Sunday. It is the first semi-final for the 23-year-old Czech at an ATP 500 event. Macháč will face the winner of the match between Frenchman Ugo Humbert and Jack Draper for a spot in the final.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková

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