News of Radio Prague

Czech and Slovak prime ministers agree on joint air defence system

The Czech and Slovak prime ministers have agreed to look for ways to create a joint air defence system. Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla, speaking to reporters in Bratislava after meeting his Slovak counterpart Mikulas Dzurinda, said the two countries were to analyse the possibility of creating a joint force to protect Czech and Slovak airspace. The Czech government recently cancelled a deal to purchase 24 new Gripen jet fighters at a cost of some 2 billion dollars, saying the country couldn't afford it.

Austrian anti-nuclear protestors blockade border crossing

Austrian protestors staged a brief blockade of a border crossing on Saturday in protest at the Czech Republic's Temelin nuclear power plant. A group of around 20 anti-nuclear activists blocked the Gmund border crossing for around 30 minutes before dispersing. There were no arrests. The blockade was organised by Austria's Stop Temelin group, who said they wanted the Austrian government to do more to oppose the use of nuclear power in neighbouring countries. There has been tension between Austria and the Czech Republic over Temelin, although relations have improved considerably in recent months.

Motejl: I still want to stand for president

The country's ombudsman Otakar Motejl has said he still wants to stand as a candidate for the senior coalition Social Democrats in the upcoming presidential elections, despite a so-called “party referendum” suggesting that former Prime Minister Milos Zeman is far more popular among both party members and the public. The Social Democrat leadership has until December 7th to choose a candidate for president. It was hoped the “party referendum” would endorse Mr Motejl as the most popular choice, and marginalise Mr Zeman, who is seen as representing the old guard. However Mr Zeman emerged as the clear winner of the poll, and Mr Motejl came third.

Prague Civic Democrats back Zahradil for leader

Meanwhile Jan Zahradil, deputy chairman of the opposition Civic Democrats, has been given a boost in his campaign to become the party's new leader, after the party's influential Prague branch said it was backing him for the post. The Civic Democrats elect a new leader on December 15th to replace Vaclav Klaus, who has led the party since its inception ten years ago. Mr Klaus, prime minister under successive Civic Democrat-led governments in the 1990s, announced his decision to resign after the party's poor showing in this year's general election.

Weather forecast

Sunday will be another cloudy and rainy day, with the chance of snow in the mountains. Temperatures in the daytime will range from four to 8 degrees Celsius, falling to freezing at night.