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The first steps toward the nationalisation of the energy company ČEZ will be taken by the state at the company’s annual general meeting in June this year. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) told journalists today, but did not specify the concrete steps. He confirmed that the government’s plan to gain full control of ČEZ remains in place, arguing that it is necessary for better control over energy prices and the further development of the energy sector. The nationalisation is intended to be completed by the end of the electoral term in 2029.

The ČEZ Group is one of the largest energy companies in the Czech Republic. The state is its majority shareholder, holding around 70 percent of shares through the Ministry of Finance. Last year, the company posted a profit of 27.4 billion CZK, with net profit decreasing by 1.7 billion CZK year-on-year. Operating profit and revenues also declined compared to the previous year.

The Czech Republic will actively seek support across Europe to reduce EU regulation, which is currently slowing down European industry as it struggles for survival. This was stated today by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš at the conference Successful Czechia: Without Unnecessary Regulations and Bureaucracy. According to him, the main goal should be a revision of the emissions trading system. At the European level, he also wants to address the EU budget, protection of the European market, and investment.

Babiš is among the EU leaders who are vocally calling for changes to the emissions trading system. In his latest letter sent to the European Commission at the beginning of April, he proposed granting companies in the most affected sectors free allocations of emission allowances, conditional on their decarbonisation plans. According to him, this measure should be adopted without delay.

Czech goaltender Daniel Vladař played a decisive role as the Philadelphia Flyers secured a 3–2 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes and clinched the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The 28-year-old stopped 24 of 26 shots and, after conceding twice in the opening period, shut the door the rest of the way. Vladař then delivered in the shootout, denying all Carolina attempts to seal the victory. Philadelphia recovered from a slow start, with goals from Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras erasing a two-goal deficit. With overtime scoreless, Tyson Foerster netted the deciding shootout goal. The Flyers have now won five of their last six games and return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2019/20 season. They will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round.

President Petr Pavel met Czech expatriates in Buenos Aires and is holding talks with Argentine leaders during his visit. At the Czech House, he and his wife Eva watched a cultural programme featuring polka and tango and thanked the community for preserving Czech traditions. Around 50,000 people of Czech origin live in Argentina. Pavel is set to meet President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada, along with other officials. Talks are expected to cover bilateral ties and shared positions on issues such as support for Ukraine. He travels to Chile on Wednesday.