Politics & Economics

Czech Producer Prices Fall in Agriculture, With One Exception: Eggs

Agricultural producer prices in Czechia fell sharply on a month-on-month basis, while several key food items moved in opposite directions. Fresh data released by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) show that fruit prices dropped significantly, even as eggs recorded a steep increase. Compared with the previous month, agricultural producer prices declined by 4 percent. At the same time, industrial producer prices rose by 0.3 percent. Construction work became slightly more expensive, increasing by 0.1 percent, while prices of market services for businesses edged down by 0.1 percent. Looking at developments over the past year, trends remain mixed. Industrial producer prices fell year-on-year for the tenth consecutive month, declining by 1.3 percent. Agricultural producer prices rose by 1.2 percent, marking the slowest annual growth since September 2024. Construction work prices were 0.1 percent higher than a year earlier, while prices of market services for businesses increased by 4.3 percent. Within agriculture, price movements varied widely. Fruit prices fell by 9.5 percent month-on-month, potatoes dropped by 8.2 percent, and pig prices declined by 6.1 percent. In contrast, egg prices jumped by 12.4 percent, and poultry prices rose by 2.1 percent. Industrial producer prices recorded their strongest monthly increases in refined petroleum products....

by Prague Morning Dec 16, 2025

Czech President Pavel Appoints New Government Led by Babiš

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),...

by Prague Morning Dec 15, 2025

Czech Government Proposes Language Requirement for Foreign Taxi Drivers

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...

by Prague Morning Dec 14, 2025

Babiš Says Czech Republic Will Not Back Ukraine Financially

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...

by Prague Morning Dec 14, 2025

The Economist: Czechia Ranks 6th Among World’s Best Economies in 2025

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...

by Prague Morning Dec 11, 2025

Czech Government Launches New Tool to Cut Your Energy Bills

As electricity and gas prices continue to ease across Czechia, a new government service is reshaping how households and companies choose their energy suppliers. The Ministry of Industry and Trade, together with the Energy Regulatory Office, has launched an independent price-comparison platform that allows users to review current electricity and gas offers without entering any personal data. Developers say the system now handles around a thousand comparisons a day. What the Platform Actually Does The tool gathers all active offers from the Czech energy market and displays them in a simple, ad-free interface. It draws from datasets newly required under the LEX OZE III legislation, which obliges suppliers to send the regulator complete and regularly updated documentation on their products. These legal changes also force companies to publish a seller security index, their contract structure, and detailed price lists. The rules target past practices where intermediaries moved clients between providers without fully transparent conditions. Why It Matters for Households and Businesses Tariffs have dropped by more than ten percent since January, and experts estimate that switching suppliers can lower annual costs by several hundred to several thousand crowns. In some cases, the total bill may fall by tens of percent,...

by Prague Morning Dec 07, 2025

President Pavel to Appoint Babiš Prime Minister on December 9

President Petr Pavel will appoint ANO leader Andrej Babiš as prime minister on Tuesday, December 9, after the billionaire announced that he would step away from his business empire Agrofert to resolve a conflict of interest. The move clears the final obstacle following ANO’s victory in October’s parliamentary election and its subsequent coalition deal with the Freedom and Direct Democracy party and Motorists for Themselves. Babiš confirmed the decision in a video message on Thursday evening, saying he would “irrevocably give up” Agrofert and have no contact with the conglomerate going forward. The business group, which includes more than 200 companies and is one of the country’s largest recipients of EU subsidies, has been at the centre of his legal and political battles for years. “Of course, I could have left politics after winning the election and lived a comfortable life,” Babiš told voters. “But I am convinced you would see it as a betrayal. That is why I have decided to give up Agrofert forever. I will not own it again, I will not profit from it, and I will not communicate with it.” According to the plan he outlined, Agrofert’s shares will be moved into an independent trust...

by Prague Morning Dec 05, 2025

Czech Support for Ukraine Totals CZK 91.3 Billion, Says PM Fiala

Outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Thursday that the Czech state has spent CZK 91.3 billion on assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. When all revenues linked to the aid package are counted, the state actually comes out CZK 12.7 billion ahead. Fiala explained that the government received CZK 79 billion through taxes and social and health insurance payments, while an additional CZK 25 billion was reimbursed for military assistance. The combination of these two revenue streams pushed total income above the cost of aid. According to Fiala, the Czech public and institutions have played a key role in sustaining support for Ukraine since the first days of the invasion. He thanked those who contributed to humanitarian, financial, and military assistance. A large share of the help came in the form of military equipment, mostly older stock. Since 2022, the Czech Republic has supplied military aid worth CZK 17.4 billion, receiving CZK 25 billion in compensation from partner countries. The refunded amount reflects the value of donated material and the cost of training Ukrainian soldiers. Defense Minister Jana Černochová later clarified that CZK 5.77 billion of the total represented donations of surplus equipment that...

by Prague Morning Nov 27, 2025

Czech President Voices Opposition to Cabinet Nominee Who Made Nazi Salute

Filip Turek stated that his Nazi salute and posting of Nazi memorabilia were due to “bad humour” rather than any affinity to Nazism or racism. The Czech Republic’s populist ANO party proposed appointing to the cabinet a right-wing eurosceptic who has been criticised for performing a Nazi salute on Wednesday, complicating efforts to form a government after last month’s election. ANO, led by Andrej Babis, won the most votes in an October election and has been trying to form a cabinet with the far-right, anti-EU, and pro-Russian SPD party and the right-wing eurosceptic Motorists party. Babis on Wednesday submitted a list of nominees to President Petr Pavel that included Filip Turek of the Motorists party, who has said his Nazi salute and posting of Nazi memorabilia was down to bad humour rather than any affinity to Nazism or racism. He has also disputed the authenticity of some old social media posts that were published by Czech media, where he appeared to make racist comments. President’s objections remain “The president repeated that his objections to Filip Turek as a member of the future government remain,” the office of President Petr Pavel said in a statement. Pavel, a pro-EU liberal and strong...

by Prague Morning Nov 27, 2025

Early Trading Mistakes Beginners Must Avoid

Starting your trading journey is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming. With so much information online, it’s easy for beginners to follow the wrong advice, misread the market, or jump in too quickly. As mistakes are part of learning, certain missteps can cost you more time, money, and confidence than necessary. Understanding these common pitfalls early helps you build a stronger, more resilient trading foundation and prevents unnecessary setbacks. Below are the key trading mistakes beginners commonly make, and how to avoid them so you can approach the markets with clarity and discipline. Relying on Unverified Information and Impulse Decisions A lot of new traders get caught up in hype-driven tips and social media speculation. Anyone can give trading advice online, and without knowing which voices to trust, beginners can end up following unreliable opinions that lead to poor trades. That’s why researching market fundamentals, confirming trends across several trusted sources, and using structured learning tools, such as reputable crypto guides, can help you separate fact from noise. When you build your strategy on verified insights, you reduce your chances of getting swept up in impulsive, emotion-based decisions. Another common issue is trading before fully understanding market conditions. Beginners might...

by Prague Morning Nov 26, 2025

Czechia Climbs to Europe’s Top Three for Economic Growth

The Czech economy has moved into the European spotlight after several difficult years marked by inflation and weak household spending. According to new Eurostat data, Czechia now ranks among the fastest-growing economies on the continent, driven mainly by stronger domestic demand. The turnaround has been gradual. Inflation has eased, real wages are rising again, and people are returning to normal spending habits. This renewed confidence is pushing household consumption up, while companies are increasing investment after months of caution. Although exports remain slower, domestic demand has been strong enough to lift overall growth. Czechia now sits in third place in Europe, behind only two countries. Spain, with growth of 2.8%, continues to benefit from a resilient tourism sector and a strong expansion of technology and service industries. Close behind is Portugal, also at 2.4%, where higher real incomes are helping support steady consumer activity. Sweden is growing at the same pace, helped by rising household spending and gradually improving wages. Further east, Lithuania is maintaining a 1.9% growth rate. Its economy started the year strongly but slowed slightly in the third quarter. Even so, higher wages have supported consumer confidence, keeping the trend stable. The Netherlands, growing at 1.6%, is...

by Prague Morning Nov 25, 2025

Czech Parliament to Discuss Babiš’s Conflict of Interest on November 27

The Chamber of Deputies will hold an extraordinary session on Thursday, November 27, to discuss the conflict of interest involving ANO movement leader Andrej Babiš. The session was requested by the outgoing government coalition—KDU-ČSL, ODS, STAN, and TOP 09—as well as the opposition Pirate Party. The parliamentary opposition insists that Babiš should publicly clarify how he intends to address the conflict of interest stemming from his ownership of the Agrofert holding before he can take office. Czech President Petr Pavel has also called for transparency, stating that he will not appoint Babiš as prime minister without a clear explanation. Babiš has described the matter as sensitive and pledged to disclose his proposed actions immediately prior to his potential appointment. Tomio Okamura, chairman of the Chamber of Deputies and leader of the SPD movement, announced the session to journalists but made it clear that his party will not support the agenda. Okamura considers convening the meeting unnecessary, arguing that Babiš’s conflict of interest has already been extensively discussed. He also noted that as an ordinary member of parliament, Babiš is not currently bound by the same legal requirements, and will have 30 days to resolve the matter once appointed prime minister....

by Prague Morning Nov 19, 2025

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