News

Czech Industry Minister Jozef Síkela (Mayors and Independents Party) has been appointed as the European Commissioner for International Partnerships in the new European Commission, as announced by President Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference in Strasbourg. Síkela will oversee EU international cooperation, development policy, and the Global Gateway initiative, which aims to invest up to €300 billion in infrastructure in developing regions like Africa and India. This portfolio, previously held by Finland’s Jutta Urpilainen, includes managing the EU’s largest directorate-general, responsible for fostering democratic values, the rule of law, and human rights. According to Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party), Czechia has succeeded in its efforts to get a strong economic portfolio.

More than 500 prisoners have joined efforts to combat the ongoing floods. Their work ranges from clearing debris near Ruzyně prison in Prague to helping clean up Jablonec nad Nisou and setting up protections at Olomouc’s Sigma football stadium. Inmates are also prepared to assist in flood-affected areas. The Prison Service, which has not faced any direct threats to its facilities, remains ready with up to 800 prisoners and hundreds of staff on standby. The Prison Service has also launched a voluntary donation drive to support flood-affected communities, according to spokesperson Markéta Prunerová.

The Czech crown jewels are now on display in the Vladislav Hall at Prague Castle until the end of September. This year’s exhibition, titled "The Mysterious Power of Stones," includes a holographic animation showing the gemstones on the crown at the time of Charles IV’s coronation in 1347. Visitors can view the jewels for free, though no tickets or reservations are available in advance. The exhibit also features the royal scepter, orb, and other regalia. President Petr Pavel has made the display an annual event to celebrate the feast of St. Wenceslas on September 28.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the government would establish a working group which will consider how to allocate state funds to help municipalities repair the damage caused by the floods. The working group will be chaired by Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura, who said he was not ruling out the possibility of amending the state budget for this year, depending on the extent of the damage caused, which he estimates to be in the tens of billions of crowns.

The prime minister also confirmed that the State Material Reserves Administration would provide equipment needed for relief and clean-up efforts directly to municipalities and basic aid to individuals who had lost everything in the floods. This will involve drinking water tankers, especially for smaller municipalities that will have to deal with contamination of water sources, power generators, dryers, tents and blankets.