Czech President Petr Pavel has appointed a new government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The government includes representatives of ANO, SPD, and “Motorists,” who have taken 16 ministerial portfolios. It includes the ANO, SPD, and Motorists movements. Babiš will present the ministers in their departments today. Karel Havlíček, Alena Schillerová from ANO, Petr Macinka (“Motorists”), and Jaromír Zuna from SPD will become deputy heads of government in Andrej Babiš’s third cabinet. In the government, ANO receives eight portfolios in addition to the prime minister, SPD — three ministers, and “Motorists” head four ministries. The head of “Motorists,” Petr Macinka, temporarily heads two departments: in addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also the Ministry of Environment. The “Motorists” candidate, Filip Turek, has not yet met with the president due to health reasons, and the president simultaneously has doubts about his possible participation in the cabinet. The government in the Chamber of Deputies will rely on a majority of 108 seats; a vote of confidence is planned for January 13. After the appointment ceremony, Babiš will move to the Strakova Academy, where the prime minister works and government meetings are held. He will be met there by Petr Fiala (ODS),...
As Prague gears up for Christmas and New Year, the city’s public transport system will run on special holiday schedules to accommodate travelers and residents during one of the busiest times of the year. The adjustments affect the metro, trams, buses, trolleybuses, and suburban trains. Christmas Eve – December 24, 2025 Most PID services will follow Saturday schedules, with the metro running every 20 minutes from around 6:00 p.m. until the end of service. Daytime trams and buses begin operating from 6:00 p.m., while night lines cover key metro terminals such as Letňany, Roztyly, Skalka, and Zličín until about 7:00 a.m. on Christmas morning. Trains will run until 6:00 p.m., with a limited evening schedule extending until 10:00 p.m. Suburban lines operate according to Saturday timetables, with select night services following special schedules. Christmas Day – December 25, 2025 Public transport follows Sunday holiday timetables. Daytime tram, trolleybus, and bus services begin around 7:00 a.m., except line 59, which starts at 4:30 a.m. Night services continue to connect major metro terminals. Suburban lines also follow Sunday schedules with certain restrictions. Boxing Day – December 26, 2025 All PID services continue to operate on Sunday holiday timetables, ensuring smooth travel throughout...
The Czech government is preparing to introduce stricter regulations for taxi drivers from abroad, including a possible requirement to demonstrate knowledge of the Czech language. The proposed rules aim to enhance both safety and service quality for passengers in the country. The announcement follows recent amendments to the Road Transport Act, which tightened rules on foreign driving licenses and expanded the powers of municipal inspections. Since July, the law requires taxi drivers to hold a license issued either in the Czech Republic or elsewhere in the European Union. Taxi licenses are now also granted only for the duration of the driver’s legal stay in the country. Municipal police now have the authority to stop taxis and verify compliance with the law, giving authorities stronger tools to enforce safety standards. Coalition Plans Further Tightening The newly formed coalition government has announced its intentions to go further. The draft program suggests unifying requirements for taxi drivers and transport platforms while introducing the obligation for drivers to demonstrate Czech language proficiency. The goal is to ensure that passengers receive safe, high-quality service across all platforms. Although the government has not detailed all planned requirements, sources suggest that mandatory Czech language exams could be...
Designated Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has said the Czech Republic should not take part in financially guaranteeing assistance to Ukraine. The responsibility for future funding must rest with the European Union rather than individual member states, he added. “Prague does not have the resources to underwrite aid for other countries. The European Commission must find alternative mechanisms to cover Ukraine’s needs, and ending the war should remain the priority.” During the next European Union summit, leaders will debate how to cover Ukraine’s financial needs in 2026 and 2027. The European Commission has presented two options: a joint EU loan backed by the EU budget, which would require unanimous approval, or a reparations-style loan secured by frozen Russian state assets, which could pass with a qualified majority. Members of the outgoing Czech government reacted sharply. Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný, who also leads the Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL), warned that withdrawing from active support for Ukraine would harm Czech security and economic interests. He said continued participation in joint initiatives, including ammunition supplies, directly benefits the country and its industry. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan, leader of the STAN movement, criticised what he described as a break from the Czech Republic’s established approach within...
December marks 45 years since trams last crossed Wenceslas Square, ending nearly a century of continuous rail service through the heart of Prague. On December 13, 1980, the final tram passed through the boulevard, closing a chapter that had shaped daily movement in the city center since the late 19th century. For decades, Wenceslas Square was the main hub of Prague’s tram network. Lines running between Můstek and the area beneath today’s National Museum carried thousands of passengers each day and connected directly to other key routes across the city. When the service ended in 1980, Karlovo náměstí became the new focal point of surface transport. The first trams appeared on Wenceslas Square on May 20, 1884. At that time, they were horse-drawn vehicles operated by the General Directorate of the Prague Tramway. From Můstek, the line linked up with routes heading toward Jungmannovo náměstí and Náměstí Republiky, forming one of the earliest transport corridors in Prague. Over the following decades, the line was rebuilt several times as technology and urban needs evolved. A major transformation came in 1927 during the First Republic. Wenceslas Square was redesigned to accommodate rising car traffic, and the tram line was relocated back...
Prague has crossed a symbolic threshold this year, surpassing 1.4 million residents for the first time. Fresh figures released by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) show that the capital added nearly 2,900 people during the first nine months of 2025, even as the rest of the country saw its population slip. The pace of growth reflects a clear pattern: more people are moving to Prague than leaving it, while the number of deaths continues to exceed births. According to the data, the city welcomed 45,403 newcomers between January and September. During the same period, 41,784 people moved out, resulting in a net migration gain of 3,619 residents. Natural population change, however, remained negative. The number of deaths — 8,955 — outpaced the 8,217 births recorded in the city. That gap pushed Prague’s natural decrease to 738 people, continuing a trend observed nationwide. Marriage and divorce figures added further insight into demographic shifts. Over the first three quarters of the year, 4,997 couples married in the capital, while 1,757 marriages ended in divorce. Across the country, the picture looks different. The Czech Republic’s total population fell by more than 12,300 people, slipping below 10.9 million. The decline was driven mainly by...
For its tenth edition, the Episodes series returns to Prague with a new exhibition by Kirill Postovit – a Prague-based sculptor and painter whose surreal style blends modernism with symbolic imagery. “The Window becomes a threshold: a delicate passage between the intimate inner works and vast expanse outside. It is at once a frame and a mirror, offering both refuge and releasing a reminder that every vision of the self is inseparable from the world it encounters.” Hosted at Katie Feygie Art Gallery, a private family-run space in Prague with over 30 years of history, well known for showcasing modern and contemporary pieces, Episodes X: The Window opened on December 3rd, 2025, inviting visitors to explore a collection of sculptures and paintings, each framing the world through windows. The exhibition opened at 18:30, with guests steadily pouring into the space, enjoying refreshments and cheerful conversations with the curator, Katie Margolin and the artist Kirill Postovit, who warmly welcomed each guest. Art collectors, historians, and art lovers from all over the world attended the event. The intimate setting of the space, surrounded by artworks and soft lighting, allows guests to pause and reflect on each beautifully crafted piece. Postovit’s artworks encouraged...
Paul Simon is preparing to bring his A Quiet Celebration Tour to Europe, with Prague among the key stops on his 2026 schedule. The American songwriter will appear at the Prague Congress Center on April 9, 10 and 12, presenting the chamber-style program that earned strong reviews during its U.S. run. Instead of beginning with his most familiar hits, the concerts open with Seven Psalms, a 33-minute acoustic composition released to widespread critical praise. Written for voice and minimal instrumentation, the piece was performed almost entirely by Simon in the studio. The Guardian described it as a “master suite,” while the Times of London called it a “remarkable album.” Simon has often said he views the audience as a participant in the work, which is why he chose intimate halls with top-level acoustics for the tour. After a brief intermission, the evening shifts toward his catalogue of classics, including newly arranged versions of well-known songs and a number of tracks he seldom played live. The second half of the show revisits a body of work that began more than six decades ago. Simon’s career first accelerated in 1966, when The Sound of Silence, recorded with Art Garfunkel, reached number one...
Czech gastronomy reached a milestone this week when Restaurant Papilio in Vysoké Újezd near Beroun became the first dining spot in the country to earn two Michelin stars. The recognition arrived as the Michelin Guide released its new Czech edition — the first to assess restaurants beyond Prague. The expansion of Michelin’s focus reshaped the national culinary map. Inspectors awarded 9 starred restaurants across the country, while another 18 venues received Bib Gourmand, the guide’s mark for quality food at reasonable prices. Four restaurants were also honored with Green Stars for sustainability, along with several individual awards for service and young talent. Until now, Michelin had concentrated on Prague, where La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise and Field have long held one star each — and both retained their status. The restaurants Entrée in Olomouc, Vila in Zlín, Essens in Hlohovec in the Břeclav region and the Prague restaurants Levitate, Štangl, Pole, and Casa De Carli each received one star. But the spotlight largely shifted outside the capital for the first time. The biggest attention fell on Papilio, now holding two stars, led by chef Jan Knedla, who previously worked in acclaimed Michelin kitchens worldwide, including the three-star Amber in Hong Kong. Inspectors...
Prague police are investigating multiple incidents of taxi fraud targeting foreign visitors, where passengers were charged fares many times higher than the standard rate. The cases involve tourists from Denmark and Australia and highlight ongoing issues with dishonest taxi operators in the city. On December 2nd, a group of elderly Danish tourists traveled from Old Town Square to Lublanská Street, using three separate taxis. After completing their journeys and paying the drivers, the group realized something was wrong during a conversation with a café waitress, who immediately contacted the Prague Municipal Police. Officers from the city’s specialized unit for regulating taxi operations quickly responded. Interviews with the victims revealed that one driver had demanded 900 CZK plus an additional 140 euros for a trip of roughly twenty minutes. Thanks to the tourists remembering the car’s license plate, police swiftly located the driver. He returned the overcharged amount, issued an apology, and received a fine. Two other travelers from the same Danish group were reportedly charged 3,700 CZK and 8,700 CZK for similar short rides. Unfortunately, lacking specific vehicle details, these cases will require further investigation, Prague Municipal Police spokesperson Irena Seifertova noted on social media. LATEST JOBS IN PRAGUE Accounting...
Visitors passing through three central Prague metro stations next week will find more than the usual flow of commuters. On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, a special programme of live music will take place across the city’s underground network as part of Nalaďte se v metru (Tune In on the Metro) – Christmas Edition. Throughout the afternoon and early evening, musicians will perform short sets inside the Náměstí Republiky station (Palladium exit), Vltavská, and Můstek A. The event is open to anyone moving through the stations, and all performances are free. The programme is designed to bring seasonal music directly into everyday public spaces, turning busy metro halls into informal stages. Performances will rotate between locations, giving travellers a chance to catch different acts as they pass through. Organisers say the project aims to make the pre-holiday rush feel a little lighter, offering a brief moment of music in the middle of the city’s busiest transport corridors. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
The Czech Republic has jumped twelve places in The Economist’s annual ranking of the world’s best-performing economies, moving from 18th last year to 6th in 2025. Despite political debates suggesting economic difficulties, experts note that the country has sustained steady growth, with most estimates pointing to GDP growth of around 2.5 percent this year. “The Czech Republic and Colombia are showing decent growth in both gross domestic product and employment, which moves them into the top third of our ranking,” The Economist highlighted, also noting strong performance on the Prague Stock Exchange, where the PX index rose 41.6 percent from January to November. The magazine’s ranking does not rely solely on GDP growth. Other factors include inflation management, employment trends, and stock market performance, all reflecting broader economic stability. According to the Czech National Bank, average inflation is projected at 2.5 percent for 2025, slowing to 2.2 percent in 2026, while unemployment held steady at 4.6 percent in November. Despite these positive indicators, the Czech economy still faces structural challenges: a heavy reliance on the automotive sector, low investment levels by both the state and private companies, labor shortages, high energy costs, housing affordability issues, and ongoing bureaucracy. Broader Regional...
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