Morning Briefing │ Wednesday, February 14th, 2024

* PROTEST:

Some farmers’ groups say they plan to block the main “magistrála” through-road cutting through central Prague on Monday in protest at the poor situation in Czech agriculture.

The organisers say up to 1,000 tractors or other types of farm machinery could appear on the streets of the Czech capital on Monday.

* MOBILE:

Some 96 percent of the population of Czechia have access to 5G mobile networks, according to a study produced by Europe in Data and cited by the Czech News Agency on Tuesday.

Czechia ranked sixth in the EU in terms of 5G coverage in rural areas, with 78 percent.

* POLITICS:

According to the latest survey by Kantar for Czech Television (ČT), the ANO movement would secure victory by a significant margin if parliamentary elections were held today, garnering 35 percent of the vote.

The ODS would come second with 15.5 percent, while both the SPD and the Pirates would tie at 9.5 percent.

* UKRAINE WAR:

The Czech Foreign Ministry plans to extend a visa ban on Russians and Belarusians because of the war in Ukraine, according to media reports Tuesday.

Prague is considering extending the ban on new visas and residence permits which has been in place for two years following the beginning of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, said the Czech News Agency, citing the ministry.

* EU:

Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, is set to visit Prague on Wednesday. The Maltese politician is due to meet President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala and other senior Czech constitutional officials.

She will also pay tribute to the victims of a mass shooting at Prague’s Charles University in December.