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The Czech state budget deficit grew by CZK 19 billion in October, reaching CZK 200.7 billion, according to the Ministry of Finance. Although this is the best October result since the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains the fifth deepest in Czech history. Last year’s October deficit was CZK 210.7 billion. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura expects spending pressures in the final two months, partly due to flood damage repairs, but anticipates meeting the projected CZK 282 billion deficit target. By the end of October, budget revenues were CZK 1.602 trillion, up 1.5% year-on-year, while expenditures rose by 0.8% to CZK 1.803 trillion.
The Czech Union of Security Forces (UBS) will organize a protest on November 21 in front of the Ministry of the Interior in Prague, demanding better wages and working conditions for police, firefighters, and other security services. The demonstration will take place fo two hours. UBS announced the action following Interior Minister Vít Rakušan’s (Mayors and Independents Party) proposal to increase wages by CZK 1,500, which the unions argue is insufficient. They are seeking a raise of CZK 2,200. UBS also called on prison guards, customs officers, and municipal police to join the protest.
The lower house will not be able to push through an increase in fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio this year, Marek Benda, chair of the ODS parliamentary club, told news server iDNES.cz on Thursday evening. He expects approval in the first quarter of next year. The amendment to the laws on public television and radio aims to increase the fee for public television by CZK 15 to CZK 150 per month and for radio by CZK 10 to CZK 55 per month starting in January.
The Czech Constitutional Court dismissed a post-election complaint against the SPD party's campaign in regional elections, deeming it unfounded. Filed by attorney Pavla Krejčí, the complaint argued that certain campaign materials, which featured racially charged imagery, violated democratic principles. The court ruled that electoral justice should remain cautious, emphasizing that invalidating elections should only occur if proven campaign misconduct significantly impacted results. Krejčí criticized current electoral law for insufficiently addressing hate speech in campaigns. The SPD and affiliated parties saw significant gains, securing 41 mandates across 12 regional councils in this year’s elections.
The Czech National Development Bank is developing a new program to support investment projects by Czech-Ukrainian firms in Ukraine. Oganized in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the program will be funded by national sources. Initially, the program would receive CZK 1 billion from MPO and MZV budgets, with an additional CZK 3 billion from the European Commission, pending approval. The initiative will provide loan guarantees for medium-sized strategic projects, especially in energy, with a maximum implementation period of 15 years. Applications are expected to open in the third quarter of next year.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party) has criticized Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s appearance on Russia’s state television channel Rossiya-1, calling it a mistake. Fiala told Deník.cz that he strongly disagrees with Fico’s views, particularly the claim that EU support for Ukraine prolongs the conflict. Fico’s statements have been labeled as “shameful” by Slovak opposition members, who see them as supportive of Russian propaganda. Fiala emphasized that Russia is solely responsible for the war, and that the Czech Republic and Slovakia hold differing views on foreign policy priorities.
Cloudy to overcast today, occasional light rain or showers, mainly from the northeast. Daytime highs will range from 8 to 12 °C, reaching up to 14 °C in southern.Moravia, and around 6 °C at 1000 m altitude in the mountains. Moderate northwest winds will shift to north-northeast at 2 to 6 m/s, weakening in the evening.
According to a recent study, the Czech capital stands out as one of the most popular European cities to visit in autumn. Tourists love the city's architectural beauty, which, combined with the reds and yellows typical of nature during this season, make Prague an idyllic setting.
This year’s TEDx Prague theme, Metamorphosis, held on November 23 in Prague focuses on the topic of change. Here I interview the program lead for the event, Markéta Jedličková, to gauge the vision for the event and what attendees can expect. This year’s TEDx features a lineup of thought-provoking speakers and, even, musical performances, all aimed at inspiring listeners to explore new ideas and connect with the community.
In the Christian calendar, November 2nd is All Souls' Day, during which believers are encouraged to commemorate their deceased loved ones and contemplate their own mortality. The day, known as Dušičky in Czech, remains a special occasion in Czechia, and architect Filip Ditrich shared with us some of his knowledge of Prague’s cemeteries that you too might like to visit.
The future of Prague’s historic Vyšehrad Railway Bridge hangs in the balance as debates continue over whether to restore or demolish the landmark structure. A team of international experts has now put forward a study indicating that the iconic bridge could be repaired in just four years, with minimal impact on rail traffic.
One of the most impressive buildings in Prague’s district of Vinohrady is the Laichter House, located on the edge of Riegerovy sady. The modernist building was designed by famous Czech architect Jan Kotěra at the request of Jan Laichter, who needed a space for his newly established publishing house and a home for his family. The publishing house, which attracted Prague’s intellectual elite, operated until 1949, when it was closed down by the Communists. Today, the house is being cared for by Štěpán Laichter, the great-great-grandson of the publisher, who wants to renovate it and transform it into a museum and a cultural space. To raise funds for its renovation, he is offering one of the apartments for short-term rental. I met with Štěpán Laichter in what used to be his great-great-grandfather’s study to talk about the family legacy.
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