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Czechia ranks among the European countries with the earliest Tax Freedom Day, according to the Liberal Institute (Liberální institut). This year, the symbolic date falls on May 29, one day earlier than last year. The institute said the date marks the point when people theoretically stop earning money for the state through taxes and public spending and begin earning for themselves. Institute director Jakub Kuneš said public budget deficits still play a major role, adding eight extra days of work needed to finance the state.

A European Commission decision to suspend reimbursement of some EU subsidies to Czechia over suspected conflicts of interest involving Prime Minister Andrej Babiš also applies to agricultural funds, a senior EU official told Czech Press Agency. Agriculture Minister Martin Šebestyán (SPD) said that his ministry continued to pay subsidies to the Agrofert holding company. Agrofert said it had received subsidies in line with the law. According to Seznam Zprávy, Agrofert has received nearly 200 million crowns in subsidies since Babiš became prime minister.

High blood pressure affects nearly every second adult man and every third woman in Czechia, according to doctors marking World Hypertension Day this month. Experts warned that the condition often goes undetected despite increasing cardiovascular risks. Cardiologist Alena Hrubeš Krajčoviechová said women face sharply higher risks after menopause because hormonal changes can increase blood pressure, weight gain and the likelihood of diabetes. Symptoms such as fatigue or insomnia are often mistaken for signs of menopause. Doctors stressed the importance of regular blood pressure checks and early treatment.

The government wants to improve public finances by strengthening economic growth. According to Finance Minister Alena Schillerová, this should be supported by reducing the grey economy and promoting innovation. This year’s state budget deficit is expected to reach 310 billion crowns. According to the Finance Ministry’s April forecast, this will amount to 2.6 percent of GDP, compared to 2.1 percent last year.

According to Schillerová, faster GDP growth increases state revenues in the long term, unlike tax increases, which have only a one-off effect. She described limiting the grey economy as one of the key steps to support growth. In her view, restoring electronic sales registration should help achieve this. The government also wants to support high value-added innovation, which subsequently leads to higher productivity and wages.