Politics & Economics

Václav Havel Still Czechia’s Favorite President, New Survey Shows

More than three decades after the Velvet Revolution, Václav Havel remains the most respected post-1989 president of the Czech Republic, according to a recent STEM/MARK survey. The research, conducted between May 14 and June 1, shows that Havel tops the list, followed by Václav Klaus in second place and current president Petr Pavel in third. The survey reveals that Czech citizens continue to value Havel’s humanitarian legacy, especially among respondents under 30. Younger people largely credit him for his defense of human rights and democratic values. In contrast, older and less formally educated voters are more likely to favor Miloš Zeman, who ranked fourth. The study highlights how education level, age, and socio-economic status strongly influence presidential preferences. “People without a high school diploma are more inclined toward Zeman, while Havel dominates among high school and university graduates,” the STEM/MARK agency stated. When looking at Václav Klaus, the second-ranked president, the survey found that he enjoys broad and consistent support across demographic groups, unlike the others whose approval varies significantly with age or education. Respondents praised Pavel’s communication style and public appearances, especially his regular visits to Czech regions and his defense of Czech interests abroad. The president also earned...

by Prague Morning Jun 28, 2025

Czechia to Raise Defence Spending to 5% of GDP, Says Fiala

The Czech Republic has formally agreed to increase its defense budget to 5 percent of GDP, according to Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS). Speaking after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, Fiala confirmed that the Czech delegation is authorized to finalize the commitment during the NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague. “At today’s meeting, we endorsed a mandate allowing us to support boosting defense expenditures to 5 percent of GDP,” Fiala announced, highlighting his confidence that the full NATO assembly would ratify the plan. At the summit, NATO members voiced support for increasing defense spending based on the proposal by North Atlantic Secretary General Mark Rutte. Under the plan, member states will raise combined military budgets from 2 percent to 5 percent of GDP by 2035—allocating 3.5 percent for direct military investment and 1.5 percent toward infrastructure enhancements. Leaders are also expected to reaffirm ongoing support for Ukraine, entering its third year of conflict with Russia. A meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is slated to occur during the summit’s closing session. U.S. Reaffirms NATO Commitments Ahead of the summit, uncertainty grew over the former U.S. commander-in-chief’s stance on Article Five, NATO’s cornerstone defense clause. Trump, en route to the summit, questioned its...

by Prague Morning Jun 25, 2025

Czechia Secures €2.6B EU Loan for Rail and Road Projects

The announcement of hefty infrastructure investment is a timely one, just months away from crucial parliamentary elections. The Czech government has approved a 65 billion CZK (€2.6 billion) loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support the country’s transport infrastructure, with the bulk of the funds allocated to railway development. Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS) announced the decision following a cabinet meeting, calling the loan a cost-effective way to meet urgent investment needs. According to Kupka, 55 billion crowns will be used for railway projects across the country, while 10 billion will go toward the construction of a key section of the Prague Ring Road, known as segment 511. This section will link the D1 and D11 motorways and is currently under construction, with completion expected in 2027. “The Czech Republic needs the money to repay its infrastructure debt as quickly as possible,” Kupka said, adding that the EIB loan terms are favorable compared to other financing options. “For each tranche, the Ministry of Finance decides whether it can obtain cheaper financing or whether to opt for an EIB loan. Today, the government has assessed that this loan is currently the best choice.” While specific railway projects funded by...

by Prague Morning Jun 24, 2025

Czechia to Send Evacuation Flight for Citizens in Israel

The Czech government will dispatch a repatriation flight from Israel to Prague on Monday, following escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The Foreign Ministry confirmed the mission in a statement on Sunday, citing growing security concerns after a series of Iranian missile strikes overnight left at least ten people dead. Commercial flights between Prague and Tel Aviv have been suspended since Friday due to the closure of Israeli airspace to civilian aircraft. By Sunday, all remaining direct connections were officially canceled for safety reasons. “Anyone wishing to board Monday’s repatriation flight must contact our embassy in Tel Aviv in advance,” the ministry stated via its official account on the X platform. The government also issued a strong warning against travel to Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan, advising Czech citizens to refrain from visiting the region altogether. Despite the current airspace shutdown, Czech authorities noted that overland departures from Israel are still possible. Travelers can exit via Jordan, through the Eilat–Aqaba and Allenby Bridge border crossings, or through Egypt via the Eilat–Taba checkpoint. The ministry emphasized that passengers should stay in close contact with their airlines and monitor flight updates closely. Additionally, the Foreign Ministry urged all Czech nationals abroad to register...

by Prague Morning Jun 15, 2025

European Court Condemns Czechia’s Gender Recognition Law

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the Czech Republic violated the rights of a non-binary person by requiring sterilisation as a precondition for legal gender recognition. The case was brought by T.H., a non-binary person who has spent over a decade fighting for the right to change their legal gender and personal identification number without being forced to undergo sterilisation. Czech authorities consistently rejected the request, citing national law, which still mandates surgical sterilisation for legal gender changes. In today’s judgment, the Strasbourg-based court declared that this requirement breaches Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to private life. The Court emphasized that the Czech Republic must provide a clear legal framework that allows trans people to update their gender marker without invasive medical procedures. While the Czech Constitutional Court overturned the sterilisation mandate in 2024, it delayed the change until July 1, 2025, giving the government time to prepare a new law. However, no viable legislation has been passed. The issue now hangs on non-binding ministerial guidelines, which have yet to be published and could be easily reversed after elections later this year. T.H., the claimant in the case, welcomed...

by Prague Morning Jun 12, 2025

Czech Government Installs New Minister After Bitcoin Scandal

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala appointed a new justice minister on Tuesday to replace political veteran Pavel Blažek, who triggered a political storm when he accepted a payment to the state from an ex-convict worth $45 million in bitcoin. Outcry over the payment could dent the ruling coalition’s chances in an October 3-4 election in which they trail the opposition. Blažek, a respected lawyer, has said he did nothing illegal but resigned his post and quit Fiala’s Civic Democrat (ODS) party after accepting the donation from a man convicted of running an online drug market. Fiala named Eva Decroix as the new justice minister and said she was coming at an important time “to restore trust in the ministry and ensure full transparency around the donated bitcoins.” He told her to request an immediate independent audit. The man who made the donation of 468 bitcoins was in jail from 2017 until 2021 after being convicted of involvement in the drug trade, fraud and illegal possession of weapons. The opposition ANO party plans a no-confidence vote in the government that is likely to fail but may harm Fiala and his allies in voters’ eyes. Blažek was attacked for possibly legitimising the...

by Prague Morning Jun 10, 2025

Inflation in Prague Rising at Double the National Rate, Data Shows

Prague’s cost of living is rising at twice the national pace, according to new data from the Czech Statistical Office. While the Czech Republic recorded an average inflation rate of 2.4% in May, prices in the capital climbed by 3.6%, underscoring Prague’s growing economic disconnect from the rest of the country. This gap isn’t just about numbers—it reflects deeper structural differences in housing, services, and lifestyle patterns in the city compared to the rest of Czechia. “Inflation in Prague stands out due to faster growth in housing costs,” says Petr Dufek, chief economist at Creditas Bank. “Just the increase in apartment prices alone added 0.7 percentage points to the city’s inflation.” Although the Czech National Bank (CNB) has mostly kept inflation within its target range of 2% ± 1 percentage point, Prague is becoming a statistical outlier. Housing and services are the main culprits. According to economist David Marek from Deloitte, services make up a larger part of consumer spending in Prague than elsewhere in the country. This shift in consumer behavior contributes to higher localized inflation, particularly as service prices continue to climb faster than those of goods. A breakdown of inflation reveals the largest price increases occurred in...

by Prague Morning Jun 10, 2025

June 14th: Prague Joins Global “No Kings” Day in Defiance of Authoritarianism

This Saturday, June 14, a public rally will take place on náměstí Jana Palacha at 2 pm as part of “No Kings” Day, a global day of action drawing attention to concerns about growing authoritarianism. The event in Prague is being organized by Democrats Abroad Czech Republic together with the English-speaking Unitarian Church of Prague, and is part of a wider international movement happening in dozens of cities around the world. The timing of the protests coincides with a large military parade in Washington, D.C., estimated to cost between $25 to $45 million, which critics have described as a show of power rather than a celebration of national values. In response, demonstrations are being held in cities from Malmo to Mexico City, aiming to spotlight the importance of civil rights, democratic norms, and collective action. In Prague, attendees can expect short speeches, public readings, and space for people to bring their own posters or messages. Organizers say the gathering is open to anyone who supports democracy and civil liberties, not just American citizens. “We’re seeing more people speak out against rising authoritarianism,” said Martha McDevitt-Pugh, chair of Democrats Abroad International. “These global events are about standing together and showing solidarity...

by Prague Morning Jun 10, 2025

Czechia’s New Migration Rules: Fewer from China, More from India

The Czech Republic is reshaping its immigration policy, introducing tougher quotas for work and business visas in an effort to control who gets to live and work in the country long-term. The new system prioritizes skilled labor—particularly Indian IT professionals—while sharply limiting the number of visas for low-skilled workers from China and several African nations. Starting July 1, 2025, these changes will apply to applications for visas allowing stays of over 90 days. The aim is to ensure that Czech embassies are not overwhelmed by applications from unqualified laborers, while still attracting professionals deemed beneficial to the economy. India’s Tech Talent Welcomed One of the most striking shifts is the expansion of the Digital Nomad visa program for Indian nationals. Although the government approved this policy in August 2023, it will come into effect next year. The Czech Coordination Authority for State Border Protection and Migration Management formally authorized the update. Qualified Indian professionals, especially in IT, engineering, natural sciences, and mathematics, are seen as valuable assets. Many of these individuals are expected to work with Czech companies in semiconductor development and technical research. The Digital Nomad scheme, which allows self-employed foreigners to live and work in the Czech Republic,...

by Prague Morning Jun 08, 2025

Prague’s Average Salary Hits CZK 62,472 in Q1 2025

Prague residents earned an average monthly salary of CZK 62,472 in the first quarter of 2025, according to new data published on June 4 by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO). This marks a 7.6% nominal increase, or CZK 4,433 more than the same period last year. When adjusted for inflation, real wages in the Czech capital rose by 4.8%, suggesting that workers’ purchasing power has grown despite rising prices. The capital’s average salary is now 33.1% higher than the national average, which stood at CZK 46,924 for the same period. With this figure, Prague leads all Czech regions in wage levels, a trend largely driven by the presence of international company headquarters that offer above-average pay, particularly for management positions. The number of people employed in Prague also increased, with 21,300 more working residents than a year ago. The total employed population in the capital reached 825,000. Outside Prague, the South Moravian Region reported an average salary of CZK 46,066, closely followed by Central Bohemia with CZK 45,952. While both regions remain below the national average, they continue to rank among the top-paying areas outside the capital. The widening pay gap between Prague and the rest of the country reflects...

by Karolina Kubičková Jun 06, 2025

Crypto News: XRP Whale Earns $3,000 in a Single Day with Free Bitcoin and Dogecoin Mining from XY Miners

According to the latest crypto news, the cryptocurrency market has once again reported an amazing profit case – XRP’s whale investors earned passive income in just 24 hours through the Bitcoin (BTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE) cloud mining services of the XY Miners cloud mining platform! This news quickly sparked heated discussions in the crypto community, making countless investors interested in XY Miners’ low-threshold, high-return mining model. How does XY Miners help users achieve mining? This article will provide you with an in-depth analysis of this case and explore how to safely participate in crypto cloud mining and seize the opportunity for passive income! What is Cloud Mining? Cryptocurrency mining used to require expensive equipment, expertise, and a lot of electricity. Cloud mining saves all these troubles, and users do not need to buy, install, or maintain mining machines by themselves. Just rent computing power or mining machines on the platform, and the platform will mine in a remote mine and distribute the cryptocurrency revenue generated every day to users. How to join XY Miners? Sign up in less than a minute（$15 Signup Bonus, Earn $0.5 Daily） Choose from a variety of mining plans based on different budgets and profit goals....

by Prague Morning Jun 05, 2025

Bitcoin Bribery Scandal Rocks Czech Politics—Here’s What You Need To Know

A major Bitcoin scandal has erupted in the Czech Republic, unsettling the government just a few months before national elections. The controversy is about a convicted criminal’s donation of more than $45 million in Bitcoin to the Ministry of Justice. This caused widespread anger, led to the resignation of Justice Minister Pavel Blažek, and prompted opposition parties to call for a no-confidence vote. The main issue is that Tomáš Jiříkovský sent the Czech Ministry of Justice 468 Bitcoins, which are valued at roughly $45 million. Jiříkovský is a convicted cybercriminal who was sent to prison in 2017 for hosting the “Sheep Marketplace,” a dark website where users could buy and sell illegal stuff like drugs and guns. The cops took his things when they arrested him, and he had a lot of Bitcoin. Jiříkovský publicly donated some of the Bitcoin that had been confiscated from him back to the police after he was released in 2021. People said that the move was supposed to demonstrate that they were sorry. Critics, on the other hand, argue that it was an organized operation to disguise money laundering beneath a show of kindness. Minister’s Resignation Amid Backlash Justice Minister Pavel Blažek took the...

by Prague Morning Jun 03, 2025

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