News From The Czech Republic
Defence Minister backtracks on NATO presence
16.05.2014 09:36
CR: The Czech Republic’s defence minister, Martin Stropnický, has something of a political storm on his hands, following an interview in which he suggested it would be problematic for NATO forces to be stationed in the Czech Republic. The minister made the mistake of comparing the situation to...
ČEZ first quarter results increase questions over company strategy
16.05.2014 09:35
CR:
Photo: Filip JandourekThings had been looking up for state-controlled power company ČEZ in recent weeks.
The share price has been firming over recent days and bobbing around the 600 crown mark following the euphoria over the cancellation of the Temelín nuclear expansion project.
But the...
Political and economic factors bury Temelín tender for now
16.05.2014 09:35
CR:
Temelín nuclear power plant, photo: Filip JandourekA lot of the impetus for the Temelín project disappeared with the fall of the former centre-right coalition of prime minister Petr Nečas. Although no one would say so openly, there were top members of the former government who were hoping...
Alexandr Vondra: a politician and diplomat shaping Czech history for a quarter of a century
16.05.2014 09:33
CR: 2014 is a year of anniversaries: 25 years since the fall of communism, 15 years since the Czech Republic joined NATO and 10 years since the country joined the European Union. One Czech politician who was at the centre of all three of these events is Alexandr Vondra.
Alexandr Vondra, David...
Scandal prone Czech health care system gets mixed evaluation
16.05.2014 09:32
CR: The Czech health care sector is a frequent target of criticism from those inside looking out, those passing through, and those on the outside looking in. Scandals are fairly frequent, money for the service and praise from health care consumers often seem in short supply. We atempt to gauge...
Czech chateaux and castles ready for new season
16.05.2014 09:31
CR: The Czech Republic boasts hundreds of castles, chateaux, and summer palaces visited by countless visitors each year. It is, in short, one of the biggest attractions. The new season began on April 1 (individual sites may vary) and in this week’s In Focus, I talk with The National Heritage...
Prague court sentences infamous political fixer to three years in prison
16.05.2014 09:30
CR: A hit and run court case with a difference has just come to an end in a Prague court after two years of intensive speculation on the proceedings and result. And for some the verdict will be proof that even the most powerful are not above the law.
Roman Janoušek, photo: CTKOutside the Czech...
Death of troubled star raises questions over role of tabloids
16.05.2014 09:29
CR: The tragic life story of the 1980s Czech pop star Iveta Bartošová has come to a shocking end. After years of addiction and alcohol abuse and destructive personal relations, the 48-year-old singer committed suicide on Tuesday by throwing herself under a train. Bartošová’s tribulations in...
Czech News 15.05.2014 - 08.05.2014
16.05.2014 09:20
CR:15.05.2014
Former prime minister’s advisor facing corruption charge over Austrian armoured car purchase: report
The Supreme State Attorney’s Office in Prague on Thursday said it had pressed charges in a corruption case involving the purchase of armoured transporters for the Czech army from the...
Czech Defense Minister sees no NATO troops stationed on Czech soil
13.05.2014 14:02
(Reuters) - The Czech Republic does not favor hosting foreign NATO troops as part of the alliance's plans to boost its eastern wing over the Ukraine crisis, its Defense minister said, in sharp contrast to some of its regional peers.
Martin Stropnicky, whose country joined NATO along with...