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Lieutenant General Miroslav Hlaváč, who is set to become Czechia’s next chief of the general staff, presented his priorities to President Petr Pavel during a meeting at Prague Castle on Thursday and said he had received the president’s support. His priorities include completing the army’s heavy brigade, launching the construction of a medium brigade and strengthening integrated air and anti-drone defences. Hlaváč said he and Pavel broadly agreed on the army’s future direction. He is expected to replace General Karel Řehka on July 1.

The Czech Chamber of Deputies has nominated former president Miloš Zeman for the country’s highest state honour, the Order of the White Lion. Other nominees approved by lawmakers include writer Milan Kundera, former foreign minister Jaroslav Šedivý, filmmaker Karel Zeman and horse racing pioneer Marie Immaculata Brandisová. The lower house submitted 131 names to President Petr Pavel, who will make the final decision on this year’s state awards.  

Fuel prices in Czechia have fallen significantly over the past week. According to CCS data, a litre of Natural 95 petrol now costs an average of CZK 41.23, down CZK 1.77 from a week ago. Diesel fell by CZK 2.02 to an average of CZK 38.38 per litre. Despite the decline, fuel remains considerably more expensive than a year ago. Petrol is about CZK 7.60 per litre higher, while diesel costs roughly CZK 6.30 more than at the same time last year. Fuel prices surged after fighting erupted in the Middle East in late February.

Employees at the Czech Government Office will decide later whether to proceed with a strike after being told that a planned transfer of human rights, mental health and addiction policy agendas to ministries can no longer be reversed. Union representatives said the move had been confirmed as a political decision during talks with Government Office chief Tünde Bartha. While staff had sought changes to the plan, their requests were rejected. Bartha said most criticism of the reform was unfounded and argued the transfer would strengthen the affected agendas. The reorganisation is scheduled to take effect in July.