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Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party) strongly rejected American President Donald Trump’s remarks calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator without elections.” In an interview with Deník.cz, Fiala said he could not endorse such statements and insisted they must be firmly rejected. He emphasized that Ukraine is defending itself against Russian aggression under a legitimately elected leader. Trump’s criticism ignored Ukraine’s wartime state, which prevents elections. Despite Trump’s claims, Fiala remains confident that the U.S. seeks a lasting peace that won’t allow Russia to regroup and rearm.
Czechia has proposed to the European Commission that emission reduction targets for new cars be assessed over five years instead of annually. Penalties for non-compliance would also be imposed only after 2029. Transport Minister Martin Kupka (Civic Democratic Party) said the plan still ensures a 15% emission reduction. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party) warned that current high penalties threaten the European car industry. This year’s CO₂ limit for automakers is 93.6 g/km, with fines of €95 per excess gram per vehicle. Kupka sees the five-year framework as a reasonable compromise to support manufacturers.
Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný, Chairman of Christian Democratic Party, will ask President Petr Pavel to convene a meeting of parliamentary party representatives to address the situation following Pavel’s veto of the wage law amendment. Pavel argued the proposal was only a temporary fix. Výborný believes the president should mediate talks between coalition and opposition parties to find a lasting solution. The vetoed bill would raise politicians' salaries by nearly 7% while freezing those of judges and prosecutors. The question has been subject of bitter political clashes in the parliament for the past few months.
Czech companies have successfully completed dozens of projects in Ukraine since the Russian invasion, focusing on energy and medical equipment, said government envoy for Ukraine’s reconstruction, Tomáš Kopečný. Czech firms are key suppliers of cogeneration units, providing electricity and heat to a third of Kharkiv. Moravské naftové doly (MND) invested CZK 1.5 billion in a wind farm supplying 125,000 residents. Water treatment plants funded by Taiwan now serve 130,000 people. A new state-backed investment program aims to further support Czech businesses in Ukraine, with funding from national and EU sources.
President Petr Pavel ruled out reinstating compulsory military service, stating that increasing army capacity should rely on voluntary models. Prime Minister Petr Fiala also rejected the idea, emphasizing the modernization of the professional military. Pavel cited Scandinavian hybrid systems, where conscription exists but is primarily filled by volunteers. Chief of General Staff Karel Řehka warned that even after the Ukraine war, Russia will remain unpredictable, necessitating further army expansion. The Czech military aims to grow to 30,000 professional soldiers and 10,000 reserves by 2030, with possible further increases.
This year, over 154,000 students applied for secondary school in the Czech Republic, submitting around 419,700 applications. Last year, 157,000 applied. The application deadline ended at midnight, but late submissions may be accepted at schools' discretion. The Ministry of Education institute Cermat responsible for admissions and exams, will now process applications and prepare entrance exams, scheduled for April. Last year, 82% of applicants succeeded in the first round. The online system DiPSy functioned well, despite brief outages on Monday. Minister Mikuláš Bek (Mayors and Independents) extended the deadline due to last year's technical issues.
Clear to partly cloudy, increasing clouds in the west later. Temperatures will range from 4 to 8°C, reaching up to 10°C in southwestern Bohemia.
Violent crimes committed by under 18s have increased by 25% in Czechia over the past two years, leaving the country worried about its children. What could be the cause? And the solution?
Jacob Mikanowski is a historian, author, and journalist who has written the book Goodbye, Eastern Europe: An Intimate History of a Divided Land. A Czech translation of the book has been published in early 2025. Mikanowski takes us through Czechoslovakia's uniquely complex but, at the same time, intriguing history. From its diverse ethnic roots at the time of its founding to Alexander Dubček’s “socialism with a human face” and the Velvet Revolution, we look at Czechoslovakia’s trajectory and what remains of it in the political memory of the citizens of the Czech successor state. So, what is the legacy of Communism in the region? Was Václav Havel alone in advocating for a reformed socialism? And is there really something unique about the inherent essence of citizens living in post-Communist Europe?
The gifts that Czech presidents receive from visiting foreign heads of state and on their own travels abroad are carefully catalogued and either stored or exhibited at Prague Castle. Now, for the first time ever, the administration of President Petr Pavel is showing them to the public.
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