Politics & Economics

A Pope of the People – Czech Leaders Mourn the Passing of Francis

Czech political leaders expressed deep respect and condolences following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away Monday morning at the age of 88. Across the political spectrum, tributes highlighted his humility, compassion, and efforts to modernize the Catholic Church for the 21st century. “He was a man of deep faith who worked tirelessly to reshape the Church so it could better fulfill its mission in today’s world,” said Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS), who met Francis in June 2022 at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. “He showed concern for those facing injustice and radiated humanity and humility.” Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský echoed that sentiment, calling Francis “a voice of compassion, justice, and hope in a troubled world.” He added: “My sincere condolences to the faithful and to all who were inspired by his words and actions. Honor to his memory.” Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák (STAN) praised Francis for trying to guide the Catholic Church into the modern era with integrity. “He honestly sought to ensure the Church entered the 21st century with dignity,” he said. Andrej Babiš, leader of the opposition ANO movement, remembered Francis as a symbol of humility and unity. “I admired his effort...

 by Prague Morning Apr 21, 2025

Goodbye Druzhba: Czechia Ends Russian Oil Imports After 60 Years

For the first time in more than 60 years, oil from Russia will no longer flow into the Czech Republic. Instead, the country has officially completed its transition to the Western TAL oil pipeline, making it fully independent from Russian crude. The first increased delivery of non-Russian oil has successfully arrived from a tank farm in Trieste, Italy, to the Central Oil Tank Farm in Nelahozeves, where it will continue on to the Litvínov refinery. The announcement was made Thursday by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura, and Jaroslav Pantůček, General Director of MERO ČR, the state-owned company managing oil transit infrastructure. “We’ve taken another important step towards energy independence,” said Prime Minister Fiala during a press conference in Nelahozeves. Thanks to the expanded pipeline, the Czech Republic can now receive up to eight million tons of oil per year through Western routes—enough to meet the full demand of local refineries. “This is the first time we’re using the increased capacity of the TAL pipeline under live operations,” said Pantůček. “The oil arrived yesterday from Trieste, and this afternoon, MERO ČR will begin transporting it to its owner, Orlen Unipetrol, for processing in Litvínov.” The move follows a...

 by Prague Morning Apr 17, 2025

Still Unequal: Czech Women Work 65 Days More to Earn the Same as Men

At first glance, it sounds like progress paused. This year’s Equal Pay Day in the Czech Republic fell on March 25, marking the 65th day into the year — a symbolic reminder of how much longer women must work to earn what men made in 2024 alone. That figure translates into an 18% gender pay gap, one of the widest in the European Union. The issue took center stage last month at the Equal Pay Day 2025 Conference in Prague, hosted by Business & Professional Women CR (BPWCR), an organization that has long been at the forefront of gender equality advocacy. The event gathered corporate leaders, policymakers, and researchers to confront a familiar but stubborn reality: Czech women continue to earn less — even when qualifications and roles are the same. The next event will be on  26. and 27. March, 2026. Here is the link to buy tickets. A Reversal in Progress The pay gap had narrowed in previous years, dipping to 15% in 2021, thanks in part to government interventions like minimum wage hikes and targeted raises in female-dominated fields such as education and healthcare. But those improvements, experts warn, were short-lived — temporary fixes rather than structural...

 by Prague Morning Apr 15, 2025

Czechia is Experiencing an Unprecedented Birth Rate Decline

With birth rates falling faster than expected and an ageing population on the rise, Czechia faces urgent decisions to secure the future of its economy and social welfare system. Czechia is experiencing a significant and sustained decline in its birth rate, raising concerns about long-term impacts on the country’s economy, social services, and population structure. After a modest increase in births during 2021, the following year saw a notable drop of around 12,000 births, pushing the total below the 100,000 mark. The average number of children per woman fell to 1.66, erasing several years of gradual improvement. As reported by Echo24, the trend continued into 2023, with fewer than 92,000 births recorded — a decline of 8 percent from the previous year. Preliminary data for 2024 suggests the fertility rate has fallen further to around 1.37 children per woman. These figures not only reflect a persistent decline but also surpass even the most cautious forecasts. Projections that anticipated such numbers for the 2030s have arrived much earlier than expected. If the pattern holds, the number of annual births could fall to approximately 76,000 by the end of the decade. This demographic shift is being experienced in multiple European nations, perhaps most...

 by Prague Morning Apr 14, 2025

Angela Merkel to Visit Prague for First-Ever Public Interview in Czechia

Angela Merkel, Germany’s longest-serving chancellor, will visit Prague for a rare public appearance and her first-ever live interview in the Czech Republic. She will speak with Czech journalist Tomáš Lindner about her memoir Freedom and reflect on the state of democracy in Germany and Europe. For sixteen years, Merkel led Europe’s most powerful country through an extraordinary period marked by financial crashes, the refugee crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine. Her newly released autobiography offers a behind-the-scenes look at how key decisions were made during her time in office — decisions that helped define modern Europe. In the book, Merkel also examines her East German upbringing and how life under communism shaped her worldview. In the Respekt-hosted interview, she is expected to expand on these themes and provide new insights into the complex realities of political leadership. The discussion will continue the narrative laid out in Freedom, now available in Czech thanks to Práh Publishing, which is also partnering on the event. Since its release, the Czech edition of Merkel’s memoir has gone into its third printing, underlining the strong interest in her legacy. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the venue. Event...

 by Prague Morning Apr 13, 2025

Trump Jr. on Tour: Czechia Included in Controversial European Trip

Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, is expected to visit the Czech Republic as part of a wider European tour. While Czech officials stress that the trip is private, the timing and destinations on his itinerary suggest a strong political undertone. Trump Jr. is scheduled to arrive in Romania on April 28, just days before a high-stakes presidential election repeat set for May 4. The election has drawn international attention following the Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the results of the previous first round held last November. That vote had seen far-right candidate Calin Georgescu unexpectedly lead, but newly declassified documents reportedly revealed Russian interference, prompting the court to cancel the results. The court’s move has sparked widespread backlash from across the populist and far-right political spectrum in Europe. Among those voicing strong opposition are U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk, and Trump Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more

 by Prague Morning Apr 10, 2025

“Russia Is Not an Enemy” – Former Czech MP Displays Putin Billboards

Former Czech Member of Parliament Lubomír Volný has sparked significant controversy in Ostrava. In his hometown, he put up several billboards featuring a photograph of himself shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The accompanying message reads: “Russia is not an enemy, Russia is an opportunity.” Volný shared the move on his Facebook page on Tuesday, April 8. In his post, Volný elaborated on his reasoning, stating, “Russia is not an enemy; it is an opportunity to solve energy poverty. It is a chance for peace, and Russia is ready to discuss disarmament initiatives.” These comments reflect his long-standing admiration for Putin, with whom he has publicly expressed support for in the past. Volný’s pro-Russian stance is no secret. He has openly approved of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on social media, even labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “mass murderer.” In March 2022, the Czech police investigated his statements but found no evidence of criminal activity. The former MP has continued to share his views on social media, recently writing on X, “Europe needs more Putins and Orbáns, and fewer criminals like the EU and NATO.” His pro-Russian sympathies were also evident when he participated in a pro-Russian rally...

 by Gabriella Burgess Apr 08, 2025

Prague Jobless Rate Rises Slightly to 3% – Still Lowest in Czechia

Unemployment in Prague rose to 3% in March 2025, up from 2.9% in February, according to newly released data from the Czech Labour Office. The capital was the only region in the country to record a month-on-month increase in unemployment. However, it continues to hold the lowest jobless rate in the Czech Republic. A year ago, in March 2024, the unemployment rate in Prague stood at 2.8%. Despite the current slight increase, the city’s labor market remains the strongest nationwide. At the end of March, a total of 30,009 people were registered as job seekers at Prague’s labor offices—643 more than the previous month. During the same period, the number of job openings rose by 1,618, reaching 23,480 vacancies. Since January, Czech labor offices have been removing listings for positions that remain unfilled for over six months. In March, there were approximately 1.3 job seekers per open position in the capital. “In a regional comparison, unemployment increased only in Prague, by 0.1 percentage point,” said a spokesperson for the Czech Labour Office. Out of the 30,000 unemployed in Prague, 27,261 were immediately available for work, classified as “reachable unemployed.” This group excludes individuals on sick leave, undergoing retraining, on maternity...

 by Karolina Kubičková Apr 08, 2025

Euro Debate: Czech Government to Review Readiness for Adoption

On Wednesday, April 9, the Czech government will discuss the annual assessment of the country’s readiness to adopt the single European currency. A decision on when — or whether — Czechia will join the eurozone remains off the table, as the governing coalition remains split on the issue. The cabinet’s programme statement does not commit to adopting the euro. Instead, it pledges to meet the Maastricht criteria — the EU’s convergence benchmarks for euro adoption. Last year, the country fulfilled four of the five: price stability, interest rates on long-term government bonds, deficit levels, and public debt. The only outstanding requirement is exchange rate stability, as Czechia is not yet part of ERM II, the EU’s exchange rate mechanism. Economists have advised that the country should only join ERM II once a date for adopting the euro is set, and for the shortest possible period. Although Czechia formally committed to joining the eurozone when it entered the EU in 2004, no deadline was ever established. The Ministry of Finance maintains that the decision on when to adopt the euro lies with each member state — but should depend on economic readiness, not just formal criteria. Alignment with the eurozone’s broader...

 by Prague Morning Apr 07, 2025

Czech Economy Could Face Billions in Losses Amid Trump’s Trade War

Global trade is bracing for disruption as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to impose sweeping tariffs on a broad range of imported goods. Estimated at 20% to 25%, the tariffs could spark retaliatory measures and inflict economic losses reaching trillions of dollars worldwide. The Czech Republic is among the nations facing serious fallout. Trump has branded the tariff plan “Liberation Day,” arguing that the U.S. has been unfairly penalized by the current trade system. The new levies follow previous 25% tariffs on aluminum, steel, and cars. Trump defends the tariffs as a rightful response to what he sees as unfair trade practices, particularly by the European Union, which he claims imposes higher duties on U.S. products. He has also framed the move as a way to generate revenue to offset corporate tax cuts. In response, major economies, including the EU, are preparing countermeasures. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that while Europe did not start the dispute, it is ready to respond forcefully. Possible EU retaliation could target U.S. tech services, such as Netflix, raising costs for European consumers while hitting American businesses. The EU is also considering measures to shield its steel and aluminum industries from...

 by Prague Morning Apr 04, 2025

Czechia to Invest 100 Million Euros for Renovation of Ukrainian Hospitals

The Czech Republic plans to invest 100 million euros in the renovation of 13 medical institutions in 7 regions of Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility program, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko said. “These are not just projects – real changes for patients. We are grateful to the Czech Republic for its willingness to support and help Ukraine on this important path,” the minister noted. Medical facilities in the country have also been affected by the ongoing war and targeted by Russian forces. Last week, the Ukrainian army reported that Russia had hit a military hospital in Kharkiv. The European Commission transferred 3.5 billion euros to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility program yesterday (April 2nd). In addition, the European Union plans to continue financial support to the country at the expense of proceeds from frozen Russian assets. The hospitals receiving support include: Lviv Regional Hospital for War Veterans and Repressed Persons named after Yuriy Lypa – €35.27 million Rivne Regional Hospital for War Veterans – €18.9 million Volyn Regional Clinical Hospital – €4.31 million Kryvyi Rih City Hospital No. 5 – €16.57 million Dnipro City Clinical Hospital No. 16 – €14.93 million Kyiv Regional Children’s Hospital – €10.27 million Would you...

 by Prague Morning Apr 02, 2025

EU’s Russian Gas Imports Surge 18% in 2024 – Czechia Among Key Contributors

A new report by the energy think tank Ember finds that imports of Russian gas to the EU surged by 18% in 2024. Despite plans to phase out Russian energy by 2027, increased imports into Italy, the Czech Republic, and France drove the rise. Although demand did not grow, imports increased. Moreover, the EU plans to enhance its liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacity by 54%, with member states seeking alternative gas suppliers. According to the think tank, this expansion occurs despite stable demand until 2030. Analysts warn that such expansion could result in overcapacity, with fossil gas supply expected to surpass demand by 26% in 2030. “This level of overinvestment, amounting to 131 billion cubic meters, matches the combined annual gas consumption of Germany, France, and Poland,” reads the press release. “It is a scandal that the EU is still importing Russian gas,” said Ember analyst Dr Pawel Czyzak. “Instead of investing in true alternatives like renewables and efficiency to cut off Russian imports, Member States are burning money with expensive LNG capacity that won’t even be used.” The analysis reveals that after years of price volatility driven by the war in Ukraine, gas prices surged by 59% in...

 by Prague Morning Mar 27, 2025

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