Energy Demand Surges Amid Severe Frosts

Due to severe frosts, gas and electricity consumption in the Czech Republic has risen sharply. Distributors report that gas consumption over the past week was roughly a quarter higher than during the same period last year. Electricity demand also increased, prompting the Temelín nuclear power plant to raise output from 1,086 to over 1,100 megawatts.

Foreign Minister Challenges Presidential Authority

New Czech Foreign Minister Peter Macinka stated unequivocally that the president has no real authority in forming the government. After President Petr Pavel again refused to appoint Filip Turek as Minister of the Environment, the leader of the Motorists Party said the movement would not nominate another candidate and would continue to push for Turek. The party insists that responsibility for cabinet formation lies with parliament, not the president.

Czech Mortgage Rates Tick Up

By early 2026, interest rates on new mortgages in the Czech Republic have increased slightly for the first time since last summer, averaging 4.94%. Banks continue to act cautiously amid inflation risks and economic uncertainty, and no major changes in rates are expected in the near term.

Hepatitis A Deaths Spike in Czech Republic

In 2025, 36 people died from hepatitis A in the Czech Republic, compared to just two the previous year. Although the rise in new infections has slowed in recent weeks, health authorities warn that increased social contact during the January holidays could trigger a new wave of cases. Most of the deceased were elderly people with chronic liver conditions or weakened immune systems, as well as individuals with marginal lifestyles that put them at higher risk.

Okamura’s Remarks Trigger Surge in Donations to Ukraine Fund

Anti-Ukrainian statements by politician Tomio Okamura unexpectedly led to a sharp increase in donations to the “Gift for Putin” fund supporting Ukraine. On the day his New Year’s address was published, the initiative received approximately 800,000 crowns—nearly five times the usual amount for early January, traditionally the slowest month for fundraising.

Czechia records coldest night of the winter so far

Wednesday night was the coldest so far this winter in Czechia, with several long-standing temperature records broken. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, the average minimum temperature at stations below 600 metres was around minus twelve and a half degrees Celsius. Six stations with more than thirty years of measurements recorded new lows.The coldest spot was Kvilda in the Šumava mountains, where temperatures dropped to minus 29.6 degrees Celsius, just short of a record.