News

Diesel prices in the Czech Republic have climbed to their highest level in more than four years, while petrol has reached a near three-and-a-half-year peak, according to data from CCS, which monitors fuel prices.

Over the past week, the price of the most widely sold petrol, Natural 95, rose on average by 14 hellers to 41.63 crowns per litre. Diesel saw a sharper increase, gaining 34 hellers to 48.39 crowns per litre.

The government announced late last week that it would cap fuel distributors’ margins and cut excise duty on diesel starting Wednesday. Retail margins for both petrol and diesel will be limited to a maximum of 2.50 crowns per litre.

Excise duty on diesel will be reduced by 2.35 crowns per litre, from the current 9.95 crowns. The tax on petrol will remain unchanged at 12.84 crowns per litre.

The state will also begin setting maximum fuel prices on a daily basis. The system will launch on Tuesday afternoon, when the finance ministry is set to determine prices for Wednesday.

Due to the growing number of foreign taxi drivers in Prague, the government is preparing legislation that would require them to have at least basic Czech language skills. The rule would also apply to drivers using ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt. According to statistics one in two taxi drivers in Czechia is a foreign national. The Transport Ministry is currently drafting the law, which could come into force in 2028.

The environmental organization Hnutí Duha is weighing legal steps to protect its reputation after Foreign Minister Petr Macinka used the term “terrorism” in reference to the group.

The organization responded critically to earlier comments by government commissioner Filip Turek, who called for an end to state subsidies for Hnutí Duha. Macinka later voiced support for Turek, telling the Czech News Agency (ČTK) that he considers the group, “without much exaggeration,” to be a terrorist organization, adding he would be deeply disappointed if it continued to receive taxpayer funding.

Czech investigators on Saturday charged another individual in connection with the arson attack on a facility belonging to LPP Holding in Pardubice. In a related development, one suspect was detained in Bulgaria on Friday, and the Czech Republic will seek extradition.

Police disclosed the updates on social media platform X without providing further details. So far, five people have been charged with terrorism in connection with the attack. Four of them were remanded in custody by a district court in Pardubice in recent days, while a fifth suspect — a U.S. national — is being held in preliminary detention in Slovakia.

According to earlier information, the attack was carried out by a group of nine individuals, including at least two women, based on camera footage. The suspects face charges of committing a terrorist attack and participating in a terrorist group, offences punishable by up to 20 years in prison or, in extreme cases, an exceptional sentence.