The Czech national debt increased to a record of more than 3 trillion crowns (€125 billion) in the first half of the year, crossing the 3 trillion mark for the first time ever. Since the beginning of the year, debt has increased by 149.6 billion crowns. The debt ratio was 42.8 percent of GDP in the first half of the year, 0.1 percentage points higher than at the end of last year, according to the Czech Finance Ministry. The debt translates to each Czech citizen owing 280,574 crowns. The main reason for the increase in state debt was the sale of state bonds and treasury bills in order to continuously cover the state budget deficit, the ministry said in its quarterly report on state debt management. The budget deficit was 215.4 billion crowns in the first half of the year. Most of the state debt is covered by medium- and long-term government bonds issued on the domestic market. Their value in the first half of the year was 2.6 trillion crowns. Other important sources of debt coverage are treasury bills with a maturity of less than one year and received loans and credits. At the same time, the National Budget...
Prague is set to become the home of the Czech Republic’s first specialized center dedicated to assisting victims of sexual violence. T he facility, known as PORT, will be located in the Břevnov district and will provide essential services such as crisis support, treatment, counseling, and therapy. The opening date of PORT is contingent upon securing the necessary funding. The organization aims to raise a total of 570,000 CZK over a two-month period, beginning today. The Czech police receive approximately 600 reports of rape annually. Research indicates that only about five percent of these cases are reported. According to the latest report from the European Network of Women Against Violence (WAWE), the Czech Republic lacks accessible services for victims of sexual violence. Notably absent are support centers and crisis hotlines. This inadequacy is also highlighted in the national strategy for gender equality, which was approved two years ago and encompasses a ten-year plan involving the establishment of services in four major cities, as well as the provision of a crisis hotline and awareness campaigns. “In recent times, there has been a noticeable shift in breaking the taboo surrounding sexual violence, at least to some extent: an increasing number of victims...
One person was killed and more than 70 others were injured in an accident involving two buses on Monday in the Czech Republic. The “serious traffic accident” happened in the afternoon on the D2 motorway near Brno, in the country’s southeastern region, the police said. “According to preliminary reports, one of the drivers died on the spot, and there were dozens of people injured in both buses,” the police said on social media. Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic later said that they had “recovered the body of the deceased driver. A total of 76 people were injured.” The D2 motorway in the direction of Brno was still closed, it added in the early evening. Včerejší nehoda autobusů na D2 z pohledu hasičů 🧑🚒 👉Zranilo se 76 lidí. Jeden člověk zemřel. 👉Byl aktivován traumaplán, na místě zasahovalo 26 zdravotnických posádek a vrtulníky. 👉Infocentrum hasičů přijalo asi 60 hovorů. Volali třeba rodinní příslušníci. pic.twitter.com/KN2McYpCSL — Události Brno (@UdalostiBrno) July 18, 2023 The Czech News Agency reported that about 70 people were traveling in the two buses. Among the injured, 14 were in serious condition, and those who escaped without injuries were taken to Brno by firefighters.
The Czech Republic has launched the DoToho project for the UA community in a bid to demonstrate its commitment to supporting individuals affected by the war in Ukraine. By providing mentoring support from top Czech business mentors to Ukrainian managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this initiative aims to empower and uplift those who have been impacted by the conflict. In a recent statement, the European Commission has noted that mentoring programs can be incredibly valuable, as they allow experienced professionals to share their knowledge, insights, and guidance with others who can benefit from their expertise. According to the EU, through the DoToho for UA project, Ukrainian managers in SMEs will have the opportunity to receive support from mentors who can help them navigate challenges, improve their business strategies, and enhance their leadership skills. “The project is open to Ukrainian citizens interested in starting a business in the Czech Republic. Participants are assigned a “buddy” and a customised training programme is set up. They will gain know-how about Czech business, have the opportunity to participate in educational events, and be connected with Ukrainian entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic,” the Commission says in its statement. The inclusion of a buddy...
In a recent development, the Czech government has made the decision not to impose a ban on kratom and cannabinol HHC, two substances that have sparked controversy in recent times. The decision was motivated by the government’s belief that a prohibitionist approach would be impractical. Instead, their focus will be on safeguarding the well-being of both children and adult users. Experts have welcomed this decision, asserting that these substances pose less risk compared to other drugs. Kratom, obtained from a tropical plant, and cannabinol HHC, derived from hemp, have been sought after for their medicinal properties but have also been subject to abuse. These substances are available in various forms such as oils, tinctures, tablets, or powders. While the government’s resolution not to prohibit kratom and cannabinol HHC was not reached unanimously, it has stimulated ongoing debates concerning the most effective means of regulating these substances. Some experts suggest the establishment of clear guidelines for their sale and control, while others advocate for an outright ban. The government’s decision echoes a growing inclination toward more progressive drug policies, particularly in Europe. Numerous experts and policymakers argue that prohibitionist measures have proven ineffective and have led to unintended consequences, including an...
by Magdalena Kicińska An animal rights group handed over to the new Czech Minister of Agriculture, MarekVýborný, a petition for the introduction of mandatory camera systems at slaughterhouses. According to the Statista Research Department, the average Czech eats 86 kg of meat per year. Many likely do not ask themselves: how did what I eat get to me. Dramatic recordings of the unloading of animals at the slaughterhouse in Český Dvůr recently stirred Czech public opinion. The video uploaded by Zvířata nejíme shows the unloading of animals from a transport as workers pulled incapacitated or injured cows by the ears or poked them with an electric drive. State Veterinary Administration has already started an investigation about this particular case and is carrying out a general inspection of all slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic. “I know that many people do not want to know what the inside of the slaughterhouse and the process look like. It’s psychologically understandable that he’s running away from it. However, it still seems very important that they have the opportunity, that is, to make these recordings and share them,” said Lucas Vincour from Zvířata nejíme which initiated the petition said. Vincour, accompanied by two colleagues from...
The Czech gastronomic world can rejoice as the government has decided to pay Michelin for its inclusion in the culinary guide. “Michelin stars and other gastronomic recognitions not only add value to restaurants but also serve as a tool to promote the Czech Republic internationally, boost tourism, and generate revenue for the country,” said Tomáš Karpíšek, head of the Ambiente gastronomic group. The issue has raised controversy due to the state of public finances but the government said the 50 million crown fee for the next five years would be well-invested since it would attract more tourists to the country. The cost is to be divided between the state, regions and the private sector. The debate surrounding Michelin stars in the Czech Republic has been intense in recent days. Some argue that Michelin focuses solely on expensive establishments in the capital. They claim that most Czech society stands to gain nothing from it, making it unworthy of sending any money to the company. Others argue that the Michelin Guide enhances the country’s visibility to more sophisticated tourists who seek more than cheap alcohol, thus bringing in additional revenue. They emphasize that the gastronomic guide has the potential to attract people from...
Children of foreigners with long-term residence in the Czech Republic now have access to public health insurance, the authorities have announced. In line with an amendment that the government of the Czech Republic approved, significant changes for children of foreigners with long-term residence are brought, with insurance premiums for them being paid by their parents at the rate equal to minimum insurance contribution. “The approved amendment brings significant change for children with a long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic, as it ensures their inclusion in the public health insurance system,” the statement of the EU Commission reads, welcoming the changes. As the Commission explains, until such a change entered into force, children of foreigners with long-term residence in Czechia had the possibility to be insured under the commercial insurance system. However, the insurance companies were not obliged to insure them. Consequently, some of the children, mainly those in poor health, became uninsurable, which was highly inconvenient for them. In addition, the limitations that were imposed on the reimbursement for health services were low in the system of commercial insurance, and for this reason, children were able only to use a limited number of facilities. The Migration Consortium was one of...
By Sarah Buser, Jessica Foshee, Ellie Millikan In Prague, the number of tourists rises every year. Local business owners and the tourist office predict this summer to be exceptional in terms of the number of visitors. Summer is in full swing, and more and more tourists are coming to the city. The number of tourists has reached 80 percent of the pre-pandemic level, says Barbora Scherf, spokeswoman for Prague City Tourism. Tourists from Asian countries have also returned. Almost six million tourists came to Prague in 2022, and this year, it is likely that even more visitors will arrive in the city with cobblestone streets. The tourists are catching up. Michal Dziendziura confirms what the statistics show. He works as a tour guide in Prague and is the owner of Prague Free Tour Company. He started his business eight years ago, and through the years he has seen tourism grow. His business project has been a great success, and now his tours attract about 40,000 people every year. Since he started to work as a tour guide in 2015, every year, the effective number of tourists visiting Prague has been higher than the predictions, apart from the pandemic years 2020 and 2021, Dziendziura says. This is good for his business....
In April, the recently deceased writer transferred his personal archive to the Moravian Library Milan Kundera is no longer with us. The globally acclaimed Czech writer, and author of the Unbearable Lightness of Being, passed away on 11 July in Paris at the age of 94. The news was first reported by the Moravian Regional Library of Brno. That institution is also now linked to the great author’s legacy after back in April of this year, he decided to transfer his own personal archive consisting of some 4000 books and 25 boxes of handwritten notes. The donation served as the basis of the creation of the Milan Kundera Library, which is part of the Moravian Library of Brno. And the city was chosen as the host of this important legacy because it was the birthplace of Mr Kundera. Brno’s famous son Milan Kundera was born in the Moravian region’s main city – Brno – in 1929 in the family of a musicologist. graduated from the Grammar School in his hometown, after which he went to study in Prague. He then became famous in the Czech capital as a writer, with his first novel The Joke being made into a movie only two years...
According to a new survey conducted by the Center for Public Opinion Research (CVVM), Czech citizens’ trust in various international organizations has experienced a decline. The poll revealed a drop in confidence in the European Union (EU) from 58% to 46% compared to the previous year, alongside significant decreases in trust for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations (UN), down to 56% and 52% respectively. The survey, carried out by CVVM between late March and late May of this year, highlighted the interconnected nature of trust in these organizations. Individuals who expressed trust in one of these bodies were more likely to trust the other two as well, although the link between trust in the EU and the UN appeared slightly weaker compared to the connection between NATO and the EU. This year’s survey revealed a prevailing sense of distrust in the EU, with half of the respondents expressing negative sentiments towards the organization. Another 4% of participants indicated that they were unsure. Additionally, 36% expressed mistrust in NATO, while 37% lacked trust in the UN. These figures represented an 11-percentage-point decrease from the previous year, which saw 67% of Czechs placing their trust in NATO...
There will be no shortage of shared scooters in Prague and Brno. In the first half of July, a new Czech company, Antees, will enter Prague and Brno, operating shared electric scooters. A large part of the fleet consists of scooters from BeRider, active in Prague until the end of May. In Prague, the company will start with 100 scooters at first and increase the number to 200 during the summer. In Brno, 100 scooters will start operating by the end of July. “We are deeply convinced that shared mobility makes sense, especially in larger cities. Over the last three years, we have confirmed that there is great demand for our service, so we decided to come up with our own new brand and technologically improved scooters to offer people an even better way of transport than before,” explains Jan Kanta, co-owner of Antees. Antees focuses mainly on B2B, i.e., for example, couriers of delivery companies, but also logistics companies in the last mile delivery area. “We bring these companies a smart solution without having to own a fleet of scooters. We provide them with infrastructure as a service,” says Jakub Kavánek, co-owner of the company. “The name comes from...
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