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Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Válek wants to introduce a new excise tax on soft drinks before the next parliamentary elections.  According to the minister, the popular soft drinks, which are high in sugar, are having a negative impact on the health of the population, including a higher incidence of obesity among the young. The National Economic Council of the Government supports the idea and the minister says he is confident the proposed tax will be approved by both chambers of Parliament. It would make soft drinks more expensive by several crowns, depending on the amount of sugar they contain.

Meteorologists have issued a fire warning for the entire country in the coming days in connection with a warm, dry and windy weather forecast. People should not light fires in forests and open countryside. They should also watch out for discarded cigarette butts and be careful with portable cookers. Fire brigades around the country will be on high alert on Walpurgis Night, on April 30, when bonfires are traditionally lit around the country.

Hundreds of Czechs, Germans and Poles gathered at the border where the three countries meet at the weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Czechia’s and Poland’s accession to the European Union. The one-day Europa Fest was held in the area around the Lužická Nisa riverbed.

The organizers prepared long tables and picnic baskets at which people could meet and chat. They could also have a debate with politicians from the three countries and representatives of the European Commission who attended the event. On the Czech side, the event was attended, among others, by the  former Czech prime minister Vladimír Špidla, who was at the helm when the Czech Republic joined the EU.

Czechia and Germany have similar positions on Russia's war against Ukraine and the security situation in the Middle East, President Petr Pavel said after a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday. President Steinmeier said that relations between Czechia and Germany have never been better, stressing that close ties between like-minded states are more important than ever in times of upheaval. He said Russia's aggression has drawn the EU member states and NATO closer and they must pull together to avert the security threat presented by the Putin regime.

The two heads of state discussed the upcoming European elections, support for Ukraine, global security and energy issues, business and trade and cross-border cooperation.

On Tuesday, President Steinmeier will deliver a speech at a conference marking 20 years of Czech membership in the EU. He is also scheduled to meet with representatives of Jewish community, visit places linked to 20th century writer Franz Kafka, and talk to the organizers of Musica non grata, a four-year project of the National Theatre Opera and State Opera in Prague, financially supported by the German Embassy.