European nations must seriously consider the potential risks of Donald Trump winning the U.S. election and crafting an agreement with Vladimir Putin, which could be disadvantageous for both Ukraine and Europe, Czech President Petr Pavel said on Jan. 30. “It’s not about undermining transatlantic ties, it’s not about questioning the United States as an ally, but we have to realistically recognize that Donald Trump sees many things differently,” Pavel said. Ukraine, unlike Russia, currently has limited capabilities on the battlefield, he said. Therefore, the allies recommend limiting offensive actions and strengthening the defense. For this purpose, Kyiv needs not only purely defensive weapons but also weapons that can disrupt the supply routes of the Russian army, such as artillery, longer-range cruise missiles, and F-16 aircraft, stated Pavel. Trump repeatedly claimed that he would swiftly end Russia’s war against Ukraine within 24 hours if re-elected as president. Additionally, he expressed willingness to “allow” Russia to take over parts of Ukraine, arguing that Washington is providing Ukraine with excessive weaponry. Incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden officially announced in April 2023 his candidacy for a second term in the 2024 elections. Republican leader Donald Trump declared his candidacy for the 2024 White House...
In an interview with Czech Radio on Monday, President Petr Pavel underscored the advantages of the Czech Republic adopting the euro, emphasizing its advantages for the country’s export economy and the opportunity to actively shape the future of the eurozone. Pavel initiated discussions on euro adoption in the country during his New Year’s speech, calling for strategic steps to facilitate the transition. While Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura (ODS) currently dismisses the need for immediate consideration, Pavel argues that the Czech Republic’s strong export orientation aligns it closely with eurozone countries. He suggests that actively participating in eurozone decisions, rather than passively accepting them, would be more beneficial for the nation. President Pavel also highlighted the Czech Republic’s efforts to meet the Maastricht criteria this year, a prerequisite for joining the eurozone. He proposed the establishment of a euro adoption officer within the government to demystify the euro debate, emphasizing the need for informed decision-making and long-term public education. Pavel urged a careful examination of other countries’ experiences with euro adoption, dismissing fears of potential drawbacks and encouraging a more objective understanding of the fundamental political decision ahead. Who’s in favour, who’s against The Mayors and Independents and the Pirate Party,...
The Czech Parliament’s lower house on Friday approved an amendment to the country’s gun law that tightens requirements for owning a weapon more than a month after the worst mass killing in the nation’s history. The legislation now goes before the Senate and if approved there must then be signed by President Petr Pavel before becoming law. On Dec. 22, a lone shooter killed 14 people and wounded dozens before killing himself at a Charles University building in downtown Prague. The assailant was a 24-year-old student who had a proclivity for firearms, with a license to own eight guns, including two long guns. Authorities said he had no criminal record and therefore did not attract the attention of authorities. Parliamentary debate on the legislation had already begun before that shooting. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan has said it was hard to speculate whether the new rules would have prevented it if they had been in effect before it took place. In the 200-seat lower house, lawmakers approved the changes in a 151-0 vote. If approved by the Senate, where the ruling coalition government has a majority, and signed by President Petr Pavel, it would then be possible for authorities to seize...
The Czech Republic asks the EU to consider restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats across the Schengen area. Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavsky offered to include the restriction in the next package of EU sanctions targeting Russia. “Czechia proposes to establish the restriction of the movement of Russian diplomatic mission staff and their family members only to the territory of the state where they are accredited. It is not right for Russian diplomats to take advantage of Schengen area. We will do our utmost to ensure that our proposal is included in the 13th sanctions package,” Lipavsky stated. He added that Ukraine’s security is “linked” to Czechia’s security and providing military and financial support to Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression is “a must”. The Czech Republic has proposed that Russian diplomats be issued visas and residence permits that only allow travel within their host country and not the rest of the Schengen area. Prague also proposed only accepting biometric passports, which are more difficult to forge. The ministers also endorsed the decision made by the European Commission to launch legislation screening in Ukraine and Moldova and prepare the framework for negotiations regarding the states’ accession to...
European lawmakers on Thursday adopted a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire in Israel’s war against Hamas, on the condition that the Palestinian militant group in Gaza be dismantled and that all hostages it holds be released. The conflict has divided European Union countries and political groups at the legislature, and reaching a consensus on the wording of the resolution was not an easy task. The original text underlined the need for a permanent cease-fire. It was adopted after an amendment tabled by conservative lawmakers was passed, insisting that Hamas needed to be dismantled for a cease-fire to happen and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages. “Sustainable peace cannot exist as long as Hamas and other terrorist groups hijack the Palestinian cause and threaten the existence of Israel, the only democracy in the region,” Antonio López-Istúriz, an EPP lawmaker, said at the plenary. Responding to the resolution, a representative of the Israeli mission to the EU told Euronews that it shows the Parliament “has an understanding of the cause of the war and the means to end it.” “We are pleased that the resolution states clearly that a ceasefire is provided upon the unconditional release of...
Poland’s recent surge in prices hasn’t deterred Czech shoppers from flocking to popular Biedronka stores, known for accommodating trunk-sized loads, Novinky.cz writes. While the new year and a change in government have led to increased costs, Czech visitors are still drawn to Polish supermarkets for their larger purchases. Despite an unfavorable exchange rate of 5.8 Czech crowns to one Polish zloty, Biedronka stores near the Czech-Polish border continue to attract Czech shoppers. In the border town of Kudowa Zdroj, Czech license plates filled ninety percent of the supermarket parking lots, contrasting with half-empty stores in the neighboring town of Náchod. Although grocery bills are no longer just a few hundred crowns cheaper, savvy Czech shoppers are finding ways to save, utilizing the Biedronka app for discounts and factoring in increased fuel prices in Poland. Despite the looming disadvantageous exchange rate, Czechs are leaving Polish supermarkets with full shopping carts, taking advantage of promotions and discounts. Biedronka is responding to the price increase by strategically implementing promotions, often offering discounts on the second item. Loyalty app users benefit from additional discounts, ranging from thirty to almost sixty percent. Polish supermarkets maintain a zero VAT rate on essential items, but a return to...
There has been a notable increase in egg prices across Czech supermarkets. This price surge comes as a surprise, particularly in light of the recent three-percentage-point reduction in the value-added tax (VAT) on food items. Throughout December, supermarkets lured customers with discounted egg prices. However, these same eggs are now being sold at a higher cost per piece. The earlier Christmas promotions and current seasonal factors, including concerns about bird flu, are likely contributing to this unexpected price hike. According to the Czech Statistical Office, the average price of eggs in stores at the end of the previous year was 3.70 crowns each. Stores like Albert offered promotions, such as a pack of ten eggs for 29.90 CZK, a deal echoed by other chains. Following the New Year, the pricing has seen an increase, with Albert pricing the package at 48.60 CZK, Lidl at 43.50 CZK, and Penny at 46.65 CZK. At Billa, a pack of thirty eggs equates to a single egg price of 4.66 CZK. It’s not only consumers who are closely monitoring these prices; both the Government and the Czech National Bank had pledged a reduction in high inflation. However, the repricing efforts in January, along with...
In 2023, the Czech Republic witnessed a record-breaking 277,000 self-employed individuals terminating their businesses, marking the highest number since 1993, according to data from Imper. The trend is attributed to economic uncertainties, escalating costs and increased administrative requirements such as mandatory data boxes. Despite 68,000 entrepreneurs registering anew, mirroring the figures from 2022, the overall termination of businesses reflects a challenging economic environment. Last year, 14,000 limited liability companies and 4,703 foreign individuals ceased to exist. Associations that ceased to exist were 3,424, and individuals engaged in agriculture also significantly felt the impact with 2,836 entities ending their activities, a notable increase from 812 in 2022 The termination of businesses in 2023 almost matched the previous record set in 1993 when over 278,000 self-employed individuals ended their businesses. Factors contributing to this record include the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and the legislative prohibition of the “black system,” effective from that year onwards. Throughout the years, the number of terminated businesses varied in the tens of thousands, with exceptions like 2013 when nearly 150,000 self-employed individuals ceased their activities and the post-COVID year 2022. Tomáš Berger, the director of Imper, pointed out that the peak termination of activities occurred during February and...
Czech President Petr Pavel assured his Israeli counterpart Herzog that his country stands shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish state in its battle to defeat Hamas. “You can always rely on the Czech Republic,” Pavel told Herzog when the two met at the President’s residence in Jerusalem. He later spoke in a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Discussing the future of Gaza The two presidents discussed the future of Gaza after the Hamas issue is settled and the need for both military and civilian oversight. They also discussed other issues in the Middle East that are linked to Iran and Russia. In calling for international support in Israel’s struggle against Hamas, Herzog said, “If we are not here, Europe and the United States will be next, which is why the world should support us.” He described the war that Hamas is conducting as “cynical and psychological” and defined Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as “a psychopath who kills people with his own hands.” On the matter of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Herzog reiterated what he has said to other world leaders and solidarity groups, namely that Israel is in favor of additional assistance, which has already been increased...
Czech households are gearing up for increased expenditures in 2024, as revealed by a fall survey conducted by STEM/MARK for Home Credit. 3 out of 10 respondents expect their income to rise alongside the anticipated uptick in costs. Despite economic uncertainties, 60% of those surveyed have no plans for significant investments, but a notable 37% are eager to seize the opportunity for a summer vacation abroad. Housing prices in the Czech Republic have reportedly reached a low point, prompting experts to predict a reduction in interest rates by the Czech National Bank toward the end of the year. The nation experienced the highest inflation in the EU in the penultimate week of the previous year, leading some retailers to offer discounts even before the holiday season. In response to this economic landscape, individuals have become more adept at adjusting expenses and seeking additional income sources. Miroslav Zborovský, the ombudsman for Home Credit in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, notes that the survey indicates a shift towards more thoughtful financial planning. People are not only considering their expenditures but are actively contemplating ways to manage and augment their income in response to the challenging economic situation. In 2024, 66% of respondents...
In December last year, unemployment in the Czech Republic rose to 3.7 percent from November’s 3.5 percent. Since last January, this marked the first time that there were more registered job seekers than vacancies. According to data released by the Czech Labor Office, job seekers increased by 16,000 to 279,227, while vacancies decreased by 7,000 to 271,789. This trend of rising unemployment at the end of the year is not new, as seasonal jobs in agriculture and construction often end with the onset of winter. Additionally, more people register for benefits as their fixed-term work contracts and agreements terminate or as self-employed individuals temporarily suspend their activities. Employers continue to seek employees in technical and labor professions, with a long-term demand for skilled artisans. Roughly three-quarters of vacant positions seek applicants with primary or lower education, and two-thirds of positions are suitable for foreigners. Those most commonly without work are people with lower qualifications, specifically those educated without a high school diploma and those with primary education. The average age of the unemployed was 42.8 years in December. Despite these trends, the state of the job market in the Czech Republic has not fundamentally changed. The rise in unemployment in...
Czech politicians debating whether to adopt the euro should take into account the rather “unflattering” economic situation in Eurozone countries as the group’s future remains uncertain, a report published by the Czech National Bank (CNB) reads. In its report, the CNB points out that there has been no progress in deepening economic and monetary union and that the architecture of the euro area remains incomplete. The CNB also warns that the future development of the monetary union is unpredictable. “The fiscal position of most euro area countries remains unflattering, with budget deficits from the coronavirus crisis only slowly reducing and debt levels in some countries at the limits of sustainability,” reads the fresh analysis. “The questions of the appropriate timing of the Czech Republic’s possible entry into the euro area and the impact of such a move on the Czech Republic can thus be answered only with great difficulty,” the analysis adds. Moreover, the country is currently not meeting the Maastricht criteria needed to adopt the euro. “Generally speaking, the priorities of this government include first and foremost the recovery of public finances, and only then can the debate on the timing of euro adoption begin,” a Finance Ministry spokesperson...
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