• 09/24/2024

    As water levels recede around the country local authorities are gradually dismantling flood barriers. In Prague, the flood gates to the Čertovka canal will open on Tuesday and the last remaining flood barriers in Zbraslav and Divadelní Street will also be dismantled in the course of the day. As of midday Wednesday, the Vltava embankments will reopen to the public and navigation on the Vltava River will be fully restored. According to the river management authorities the situation should be back to normal by the end of the week.

  • 09/24/2024

    Charity organizations and NGOs have raised more than CZK 370 million to date to help people hit by the recent floods in Czechia. Most of the money raised was collected by the largest Czech charity organization People in Need, while tens of millions were raised by Charitas Czech Republic and ADRA. Some NGOs have also announced material collections or are involved in providing volunteers to help in the affected areas. People have also been donating to food banks. Both Czech Radio and Czech Television organized charity concerts in aid of the flooded regions.

  • 09/24/2024

    The Pirate Party will not be leaving the government in the wake of its poor showing in the weekend regional and Senate elections, outgoing party chair and Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš said after a meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Tuesday. Bartoš said they had agreed that it was now important for the coalition to pull together and work to deliver on its promises ahead of next year’s general elections. He said he would remain in the post of deputy prime minister and minister for regional development.

    The entire leadership of the Pirate Party announced its resignation late on Sunday in the wake of the party’s humiliating defeat in the elections. Commentators speculated on whether the Pirate Party would want to leave the government and attempt a restart under a new leadership ahead of next years’ general elections.

  • 09/24/2024

    Ukrainian leaders need to be realistic about their war objectives and accept that some of their territory might remain under Russian control, at least temporarily, said Czech President Petr Pavel in an interview with The New York Times. He noted that both Ukraine and Russia are unlikely to achieve their maximalist goals, and the war’s outcome will likely be a compromise.

    Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský echoed Pavel's sentiments, acknowledging that Ukraine cannot currently retake all its land but emphasized that this does not mean ceding territory to Russia. Both leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/24/2024

    President Petr Pavel stated that questions regarding potential changes in the government following the Pirate Party leadership's resignation are legitimate. Speaking to Czech journalists in New York, Pavel emphasized that while it’s up to the government to decide how to respond, the election results are a reason for reflection for both the government and other parties.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/24/2024

    Prime Minister Petr Fiala will meet today with Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš to discuss the Pirate Party's leadership resignation following its poor performance in the regional elections. They will also address issues with the digitalization of construction permits, which falls under Bartoš's Ministry for Regional Development. Bartoš has stated he will bring a list of changes needed for the coalition to make sense to Pirate voters, as the party faces internal debate about remaining in the government. The Pirates lost 96 of 99 regional council seats.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/23/2024

    Cloudy with rain or showers in most areas, though initially dry in Moravia and Silesia, with partly clear skies in the northeast. Afternoon clearing from the west, with highs of 15 to 19°C, reaching 22°C in the northeast.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/23/2024

    Eight people remain missing in Czechia following the recent floods, with six directly related to the flooding, while five have been confirmed dead, according to Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (Mayors and Independents). Between September 12 and 23, extreme rainfall and floods struck the country, especially in the Moravia-Silesia and Olomouc regions. Over 1,500 people were rescued, and 21,488 were evacuated. Firefighters responded to more than 25,000 incidents, with 1,200 professional and 1,600 volunteer firefighters involved. Rakušan also thanked soldiers who remain on the ground with heavy equipment.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/23/2024

    Czech banks and savings institutions saw their net profit rise by 8% year-on-year to nearly CZK 60 billion in the first half of 2023, according to the Czech National Bank. Banks' financial and operational earnings increased to CZK 125 billion, driven by higher interest income and fees. Major banks like Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, and Raiffeisenbank all reported profit growth, while Komerční banka saw a 22% decline. Despite the introduction of a windfall tax, the government collected only CZK 700 million from an expected CZK 33 billion. Analysts expect minimal impact from the tax in future years.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/23/2024

    The leadership of the Pirate Party, a member of the ruling coalition, has stepped down after the party’s poor performance in the regional and Senate elections. The party will elect new leadership at a conference scheduled for 9 November, with Ivan Bartoš, who has led the party for many years and is the Deputa Prime Minister opting not to seek re-election. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party) expressed his respect for the decision and plans to meet Bartoš to discuss the implications. The Pirate Party experienced the largest setback among the coalition parties in the regional elections, losing 96 regional council seats and securing just three in the Pilsen Region.

    Author: Vít Pohanka

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