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The reset in relations between Europe and the United States — one of the themes at this year’s Munich Security Conference — is not a rift, it is about Europe taking greater responsibility for its own defense, Czech President Petr Pavel said at the Munich Security Conference. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Mr.Pavel said the United States had long paid a disproportionate share of Europe’s defense costs.

“Emotionally, it may look like a rift between Europe and the U.S., one that could even threaten NATO. But if you listen carefully, it’s about putting the relationship on a more equal footing,” he said.

Pavel noted that U.S. representatives had previously pushed for greater European engagement, but had done so in a more diplomatic way. It was only under President Donald Trump that the approach has become more forceful, he added.

The Czech president also welcomed what he described as a convergence of positions among the United States, Europe and Ukraine on the search for a peace solution to the war in Ukraine. However, he said Russia still needs to be brought to serious negotiations, as it has so far shown no willingness to end the war.

Real net household incomes in the Czech Republic increased again in 2024 after two years of decline, rising by three percent, the Czech Statistics Office reported. According to the Office, the average annual net income per person reached CZK 293,853 in 2024, or CZK 24,488 per month.

However, around one in ten residents remains at risk of income poverty. Housing costs account for approximately 16 percent of households’ net income. Tenants spend the most on housing, nearly one third of their income. Almost half of single-parent families with children live in rental housing.

Single parents and seniors are the groups most frequently threatened by poverty. Statisticians calculated that, in 2025, a family with two young children needed at least CZK 40,089 per month to stay above the at-risk-of-poverty threshold.

Prague will introduce the position of an Ombudsman to handle residents’ complaints concerning public space. City councillors approved the move on Thursday after lengthy debate over a petition criticising the city’s approach to replacing public lighting.

They also agreed that Prague City Hall would update its public lighting strategy. A working group will be established, bringing together representatives of the city, its organisations and experts from relevant fields.

The ongoing replacement of city lighting will continue using fixtures with slightly warmer light, though not to the extent demanded by petitioners. According to the authors of the petition, light with a higher proportion of blue light is harmful and disrupts the daily rhythms of people, animals and plants.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has again expressed concern over the price of EU emissions allowances and the way they are traded. Speaking to reporters after an informal European Union summit at Alden Biesen castle in Belgium, he said he had brought up the issue four times during the day and would continue to push for changes to the system.

The Czech position calling for changes to the ETS1 system is supported by Italy, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary. According to Babiš, the problem also lies in the absence of a unified European energy market.

He said he plans to send another letter to EU leaders outlining the Czech proposal in more detail.