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The Civic Democrats (ODS) elected a largely new leadership at its weekend congress in Prague. The opposition party chose former transport minister Martin Kupka as its new leader, replacing former prime minister Petr Fiala after 12 years at the helm.

Kupka was joined in the party leadership by Prague 9 mayor Tomáš Portlík, who was elected first deputy chairman. Delegates also elected MP Karel Haas, former environment minister Pavel Drobil, Senator Martin Červíček, and MEP Alexandr Vondra as vice-chairmen.

Kupka said ODS would ensure continuity while modernising the party and strengthening its distinct brand within the Spolu alliance. He stated that the party would focus on the middle class and entrepreneurs, advocate lower taxes on labour, and push for reforms in healthcare and education.

The party also reaffirmed its pro-Western orientation, expressing continued support for Ukraine and backing the modernisation of national defence.

Czech skier Ester Ledecká finished third in the super-G at the World Cup in Tarvisio, Italy - her first medal of the season. She trailed winner Emma Aicher of Germany by 0.94 seconds and US-American Lindsey Vonn by 0.67.

In the penultimate super-G before the Milan–Cortina Olympics, Ledecká, who had complained about equipment issues after Saturday’s downhill, showed strong form.

The SPD and Motorists parties, both part of the governing coalition dominated by ANO, will not vote in the Chamber of Deputies to lift the parliamentary immunity of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) or Speaker of the Lower House Tomio Okamura (SPD). Okamura and Minister for Sports Boris Šťastný (Motorists) said this on Prima TV.

Babiš has previously said he will not consent to prosecution in the long-running Čapí hnízdo (Stork Nest) case, in which he was charged in 2017 over alleged subsidy fraud and damage to the EU’s financial interests. Minister for Industry Karel Havlíček (ANO) described the case as politicised and excessively protracted.

Okamura, facing possible prosecution over pre-election posters police say may have incited hatred, said SPD would never support lifting immunity over “verbal opinions”. The party will also not back Babiš’s prosecution, he added, citing opposition to lengthy court proceedings.

Opposition figures disagree, arguing that both men should defend themselves in court. This view was voiced on Prima TV by Marek Výborný (KDU-ČSL), Michaela Šebelová (STAN) and Olga Richterová (Pirate Party).

Czech courts declared 751 companies bankrupt in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 9% and the highest figure since 2017, according to an analysis by CRIF – Czech Credit Bureau. A total of 1,164 bankruptcy petitions were filed, up 8% on the previous year.

Despite the rise in bankruptcies, the number of newly established companies grew by more than 10% year on year. Prague recorded the highest number of corporate bankruptcies, followed by the South Moravian region.

The highest bankruptcy rate was in the water supply sector, with 26 bankruptcies per 10,000 registered companies.