• 10/03/2024

    The government has approved a framework for the deployment of Czech troops in foreign operations in the next two years, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. According to the proposal, a total of 2,666 Czech soldiers could serve in foreign missions in 2025, and 2,571 a year later. The missions would still need to be approved by Parliament. According to the ministry, the Czech Republic will primarily contribute to further strengthening NATO's eastern wing, which the alliance has been bolstering since the start of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The plans include maintaining the Czech presence in Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia and envisages Czech participation in missions in Estonia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.

  • 10/03/2024

    Government and union representatives meet on Thursday to negotiate wage increases for public sector employees. Unions are seeking an 8% overall budget increase and a 10% rise in base salaries from January. The government, led by Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura (Civic Democratic Party), has proposed a 5% increase, which is included in the draft state budget. Talks were delayed due to recent floods. Unions want most of the increase directed to base salaries, while ministers suggest some funds should go toward performance-based bonuses, with more focus on lower-wage workers.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/03/2024

    Lawmakers will continue debating the contentious pension reform today, where they can propose amendments. The special session also includes a bill to raise radio and television fees and expand the pool of payers, though it is unclear if it will reach its second reading.

    On Wednesday, after 13 hours of debate, the broader pension changes remained unresolved, with opposition criticism and obstructive speeches dominating the discussion. The Social Affairs Committee had previously recommended approving the reform, which includes raising the retirement age incrementally, while the opposition insists on maintaining the current retirement age of 65.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/02/2024

    Thursday should be mostly overcast scattered showers and daytime highs between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius.

  • 10/02/2024

    Charity organisations will distribute CZK 200 million from their collections among the 3, 800 households directly affected by the floods, the ctk news agency reported. In the first phase of the aid program each household that was flooded will receive CZK 50,000 for basic necessities, while the rest will be distributed to those hardest hit. The NGOs Adra, Red Cross Czech Republic, People in Need, Diakonie and Caritas have agreed on a joint procedure for the disbursement of aid. Together they have collected close to half a billion crowns in aid of flood victims.

  • 10/02/2024

    The lower house of Parliament is in session to further discuss proposed changes to the  pensions system and higher license fees for the country’s public broadcasters, Czech Television and Czech Radio. Both drafts have come under fire from the opposition parties who are likely to use obstruction tactics. The bills are being debated in a second reading and MPs will be submitting individual amendments. The chamber’s Committee for Social Affairs earlier recommended approving the government's proposal to increase the retirement age above 65 by one month a year instead of the originally proposed two months. The government is arguing that pushing back the retirement age is one of the tools to contribute to the sustainability of the pensions system and reduce pension deficits.

  • 10/02/2024

    The ruling parties are working to amend the coalition agreement, following the departure of the Pirate Party from the government. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Christian Democrat leader Marian Jurečka the amendment will concern changes to the format of negotiations, the number of parties involved and the division of ministries and portfolios. The government’s program priorities will remain the same. For this reason, Prime Minister Petr Fiala says he sees no need to ask the Chamber of Deputies for a vote of confidence.

  • 10/02/2024

    Judiciary sector employees will go on strike from October 7th to the 9th in protest against low wages, their unions announced on Wednesday. Employees in the judiciary have long complained about undignified salaries and work overload and have been on strike alert since May. The unions say they see no option but to strike in view of the unsuccessful negotiations with Justice Minister Pavel Blažek regarding possible salary increases. "The Czech judiciary has long been struggling with problems that threaten the basic working capacity of the entire system. Fundamental underfunding, inadequate staff capacity and work overload are leading to a loss of ability to ensure timely and high-quality performance," the unions said in a statement. Justice Minister Blažek has said he will hold further talks with the unions ahead of the strike.

  • 10/02/2024

    Sparta Prague secured a surprising 1-1 draw against VfB Stuttgart in their second match in Champions League, maintaining an unbeaten run in the elite competition.

    Stuttgart, last season’s Bundesliga runners-up, took an early lead in the seventh minute, courtesy of Enzo Millot’s strike. However, Sparta responded before the end of the first half when Kaan Kairinen equalized with a shot from a direct free-kick.

    Two weeks ago, Sparta Prague entered the Champions Leage with a 3-0 victory over Salzburg at home.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 10/02/2024

    Czechia has blocked a proposed European Union joint statement calling for an "immediate ceasefire" between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, preventing the EU-27 from issuing a unified stance on the escalating conflict, according to a report by Euronews, which was confirmed by Czech diplomatic sources.

    The Czech Foreign Ministry informed the Czech News Agency that it opposed the statement because it perceived it as limiting Israel's right to self-defense against Hezbollah militants. Czech officials emphasized that the proposed wording failed to acknowledge Israel's need to defend itself from attacks by Hezbollah, which has been shelling northern Israel for months.

    The Czech position, confirmed by multiple diplomats and European officials, led EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to release his own individual statement on the matter.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková

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