News

The Chamber of Deputies is set to vote again today on a controversial bill concerning public finances. The legislation was returned by the Senate for reconsideration after senators proposed several amendments. In its second reading, MPs will also debate a proposal to reinstate the Electronic Sales Registration system. According to the government, the revised system is intended to create a level playing field for businesses and generate billions of crowns in additional revenue for public budgets. The parliamentary session is expected to continue late into the night.

The public finance bill has sparked controversy mainly because it would allow the government to increase certain state expenditures beyond the approved budget framework. Critics argue that the measure would weaken the rules of fiscal responsibility, give the cabinet excessive freedom to spend public money, and ultimately lead to a dangerous increase in the national debt.

People across Czechia are marking the national holiday commemorating the death of religious reformer Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake in the German city of Constance 611 years ago because of his religious teachings. The main commemorative service takes place in the afternoon at Prague’s Bethlehem Chapel, where Hus preached in the early 15th century. It will be led by Patriarch Tomáš Butta of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, together with other church leaders, and will be broadcast live by Czech Television and Czech Radio. Celebrations also continue for a second day in Husinec, Hus’s birthplace in southern Bohemia.

American actor Harvey Keitel introduced Martin Scorsese’s 1973 crime classic Mean Streets at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where he was warmly welcomed by fans and spoke about the power of culture to shape society. Earlier in the day, Keitel joined festival organisers in presenting the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema to three-time Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Richardson. Richardson praised the festival for inspiring young filmmakers before introducing White Devil, a new documentary by Czech director Jana Hojdová about his life and career. Festival organisers also confirmed that fellow honouree Dustin Hoffman had already left Karlovy Vary after receiving his Crystal Globe on Friday.

The Czech government delegation led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) will leave for the NATO summit in Ankara on Tuesday morning, shortly before President Petr Pavel departs on a separate flight. The government confirmed that Babiš is scheduled to attend both the informal dinner on Tuesday and the North Atlantic Council meeting on Wednesday. Pavel’s official programme does not mention either event. The government and the president had been locked in a months-long dispute over his participation. The Constitutional Court ultimately ordered the government to ensure Pavel could attend through a preliminary injunction.