• 11/01/2024

    The Czech Union of Security Forces (UBS) will organize a protest on November 21 in front of the Ministry of the Interior in Prague, demanding better wages and working conditions for police, firefighters, and other security services. The demonstration will take place fo two hours. UBS announced the action following Interior Minister Vít Rakušan’s (Mayors and Independents Party) proposal to increase wages by CZK 1,500, which the unions argue is insufficient. They are seeking a raise of CZK 2,200. UBS also called on prison guards, customs officers, and municipal police to join the protest.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 11/01/2024

    The lower house will not be able to push through an increase in fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio this year, Marek Benda, chair of the ODS parliamentary club, told news server iDNES.cz on Thursday evening. He expects approval in the first quarter of next year. The amendment to the laws on public television and radio aims to increase the fee for public television by CZK 15 to CZK 150 per month and for radio by CZK 10 to CZK 55 per month starting in January.

  • 11/01/2024

    Prime Minister Petr Fiala considers Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's appearance on Russian television channel Rossiya-1 to be a mistake. In an interview with Deník.cz on Thursday, Fiala said he also fundamentally disagrees with Fico's statements, including the view that the European Union's support for Ukraine only prolongs the war. Ukraine has now been resisting large-scale Russian military aggression for three years.

  • 11/01/2024

    Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party) has criticized Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s appearance on Russia’s state television channel Rossiya-1, calling it a mistake. Fiala told Deník.cz that he strongly disagrees with Fico’s views, particularly the claim that EU support for Ukraine prolongs the conflict. Fico’s statements have been labeled as “shameful” by Slovak opposition members, who see them as supportive of Russian propaganda. Fiala emphasized that Russia is solely responsible for the war, and that the Czech Republic and Slovakia hold differing views on foreign policy priorities.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 11/01/2024

    Czech lawmakers are set to resume final discussions on Friday on a divisive pension reform proposed by the government. The reform bill, which aims to gradually increase the retirement age and lower new pension calculations to ease the deficit in the pension system, has sparked sharp debate. Opposition leaders from ANO and SPD Parties have denounced the reform, pledging to repeal it if they take office after the nexgt year general elections. Three dozen amendments, including some from coalition members, have been submitted, suggesting a new retirement age limit of 67. A final vote may occur next week, given ongoing debates.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 10/31/2024

    Overcast to cloudy during the day. In the mountains in the north and in the northeast local drizzle or light rain. Lowest night temperatures will be between 9 and 5 °C, and the highest daytime temperatures between 12 and 16 °C.

  • 10/31/2024

    The Czech police force is finding its limits. Some officers cite understaffing and excessive paperwork, and they are planning a protest for Monday. However, a meeting at the Interior Ministry could prevent it. Union representatives are demanding the creation of a working group, according to Martin Červenka, deputy chairman of the security unions. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN) agrees, he said in an interview with Radiožurnál.

  • 10/31/2024

    The state will provide emergency financial assistance for childcare and housing to those severely affected by the September floods. The Senate approved this on Thursday, following the House's fast-track procedure. The measure is set to take effect the day after it is published in the Collection of Laws, likely in November. The law will still require review by the president.

  • 10/31/2024

    A study by PwC has ranked Ostrava as having the best transport system in Central and Eastern Europe, with Prague and Brno following closely. This evaluation compared 25 cities in the region for "smart mobility," focusing on traffic management, environmental sustainability, public transport quality, and active mobility options.

    Ostrava earned its top spot due to its high-quality, affordable public transport system and efficient traffic management. A major factor in the ranking was the city's impressive public transport usage rate, with 69 percent of all trips made using this system. "The main asset of Czech cities is affordable public transport, which is the least expensive in the region relative to average wages," said PwC analyst Jan Brázda.

  • 10/31/2024

    The Czech state does not yet have to pay compensation of more than 15.5 billion CZK to the Diag Human company, following an appeal granted by the High Court in London. Czechia is nonetheless obliged to compensate the company, which was founded by Swiss-Czech entrepreneur Josef Šťáva, for the failed investment and the alleged misconduct of the Ministry of Health in the selection of a blood plasma provider back in 1991.

    The case has now been going on for more than thirty years. The appeal will be heard next February at the Court of Appeal, and Diag Human's lawyer, former Czech Minister of Justice Jan Kalvoda, says that the February court hearing should be final.

    Author: Danny Bate

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