Senate approves government austerity package

The Czech Senate has approved the government's austerity package, which aims to cut the growing deficit in public spending by CZK 150 billion by 2025. After a debate lasting roughly seven hours on Wednesday in which 32 senators spoke, votes were finally cast in the evening, with 53 of the 74 senators present voting to approve the package. The set of reforms now has to be reviewed and signed into law by President Petr Pavel. He has up to 15 days to veto the bill if he decides to do so.