Retirement Age Could Return to 65 Next Year

The Czech Ministry of Labor is preparing amendments that would lower the retirement age back to 65 as early as next year. Labor Minister Aleš Juhelka said the proposal also includes more generous pension indexation, higher benefits for people over 80, and additional incentives for those who continue working after retirement. Part of the previous government’s pension reform would be rolled back, with pension amounts more closely linked to age and work activity.

ČEZ Cuts Fixed Energy Prices

The biggest Czech energy company ČEZ has lowered fixed energy prices for new customers from today, with gas prices falling year on year by up to 40 percent and some fixed electricity tariffs by around ten percent. The biggest drop applies to three-year fixed gas contracts, now priced at CZK 1,060 per MWh including VAT.

Czechia Remains a Net Winner from EU Membership

Last year, the Czech Republic received CZK 77.9 billion more from the EU budget than it paid in. Of that total, CZK 46.8 billion came from the NextGeneration EU recovery plan, with the rest drawn from structural funds and EU agricultural programs.

Transparency International Presses Babiš Over Trust Fund

Transparency International Czech Republic has called on Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to publish the charter of the RSVP Trust, arguing that transferring Agrofert shares to the fund does not eliminate his conflict of interest. Without access to the trust’s terms, the group says it is impossible to assess whether Babiš still influences one of the country’s largest recipients of state subsidies. Babiš dismissed the demand as pointless.

Doctors Warn Against Dangerous ‘Paracetamol Challenge’

Health authorities have reported cases of a so-called “paracetamol challenge” circulating on social media, in which participants deliberately consume excessive doses of the drug and post videos online. Doctors warn that while early symptoms—such as fatigue, nausea, or vomiting—may seem mild, serious and potentially fatal liver damage can occur within one or two days.

Babiš Backs Foreign Minister Amid Scandal

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said he is not considering the resignation of Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, despite a political scandal linked to the minister’s correspondence with the president. Babiš described their cooperation as “excellent” and accused the opposition and media of trying to destabilize the coalition. Macinka is set to make his first official visit to the United States next week, attending a conference on strategic minerals in Washington on February 4 and meeting with members of Congress, investors, and representatives of the Heritage Foundation.