Czech News 05.6.2014 - 29.5.2014

CR: 05.6.2014

Human rights minister wants foreigners with permanent residence to get right to vote in Czech Republic

The minister for human rights, Jiří Dienstbier, wants foreigners who live permanently in the Czech Republic to be allowed to vote, the news website Lidovky.cz reported. Under a plan put forward by Mr. Dienstbier the 200,000 foreigners with permanent residence would first be able to vote in local elections and then at the national level. At present only residents from EU countries can vote and then only in local elections. NGOs have welcomed the suggestion but politicians have reacted cautiously to the idea, Lidovky.cz wrote.

Foreign minister to represent Czech Republic at inauguration of Ukrainian president

The minister of foreign affairs, Lubomír Zaorálek, will represent the Czech Republic at the inauguration of Petro Poroshenko as Ukrainian president in Kiev on Saturday, an official at his ministry said on Thursday. President Miloš Zeman will not be attending due to work commitments. The Czech head of state met Mr. Poroshenko in Warsaw this week at events marking the 25th anniversary of the fall of communism in Poland. He had already invited the Ukrainian president-elect to Prague.

State should support return of Czechs from abroad, conference hears

An estimated 200,000 Czechs have left the country since 1989 and there could be up to 2.2 million people around the world of Czech origin. Experts at a conference of the EU’s Re-turn scheme said efforts should be made to tap the potential of Czechs living abroad and that their return to the country should be supported, the Czech News Agency said. Tomáš Grulich, the chairman of the Senate committee for Czechs abroad, said research had shown that such people wished to return; he said they were brave people who had to establish themselves abroad and that their loss was to the country’s detriment. The Czech Republic is one of seven countries involved in the Re-turn scheme.

Christian Democrats and TOP 09 form joint group within European People’s Party

The governing coalition Christian Democrats and the opposition TOP 09 have formed a joint Czech delegation as part of the European People’s Party group at the European Parliament. The group is headed by Luděk Niedermayer, a former vice governor of the Czech National Bank, who stood for TOP 09 in elections last month. It has seven members, four from TOP 09 and three from the Christian Democrats; this makes it the eighth biggest national delegation in the EPP, which is the largest party in the European Parliament.

Audit of ANO controlled ministries reveals contract shortcomings

An audit ordered by Finance Minister Andrej Babiš of the six ministries controlled by his ANO party has found a great number of shortcomings related to contracts signed in the past. At a news conference on Thursday, Deputy Finance Minister Lukáš Wagenknecht said CZK 16 billion in invoices were linked to contracts that were, for instance, over 15 years old, exceeded their original parameters, or were with companies that had no employees or were in liquidation. Mr. Wagenknecht said it would be possible to make savings of nearly CZK 230 million a year very quickly.

Average monthly salary climbs by 3.3 percent in first quarter

The average monthly salary in the Czech Republic grew by 3.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2014, according to official figures released on Thursday. Accounting for inflation, real growth was 3.1 percent. Average monthly pay stood at CZK 24,806 at the end of March. The figure for Prague was just under CZK 33,000.

Guitar great Jeff Beck plays on Prague Castle terrace

The great British rock guitar player Jeff Beck played a concert on the terrace of the Riding School of Prague Castle on Wednesday night. The eight-time Grammy winner, who is 70, performed a mainly instrumental set taking in a number of genres from blues to jazz fusion with a three-piece band. An estimated 1,200 fans attended the seated show at the sold-out venue, which started hosting occasional outdoor live music events last summer.

Dutch film wins most awards at Zlín festival

The Dutch film ‘Boys’ directed by Mischa Kamp picked up the most awards at the International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Zlín on Wednesday evening. The film, which recounts the awakening of homosexual desires in two teenagers training for a national relay race, It won four awards at the festival with the main actor Gijs Blom picking up the prize for best young actor. The Czech film ‘To See the Sea’ by director Jiří Mádl picked up two awards among the other winners.

České Budějovice and Hradec Králové bounce back into top tier football

Football clubs Dynamo České Budějovice and FC Hradec Králové have bounced back into the top tier of Czech football after a year in division one. The south Bohemian club ensured its promotion with a 6:0 thrashing of Tábor on Wednesday night. Hradec Králové had a more modest 1:0 victory against Pardubice. Dynamo České Budějovice’s general manager is former Czech international and club player Karel Poborský.

04.6.2014

President Miloš Zeman says PM Bohuslav Sobotka’s US troop comments a ‘mistake’

President Zeman has weighed into the debate about Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka’s comments that he saw no need for more NATO troops in Europe. The head of state said he regarded Sobotka’s comments as a ‘mistake’ and any increase of US troops in Europe would be symbolic and would not bother him. The head of state pointed out that Sobotka did not have much experience of foreign affairs and would have to learn from his mistakes. The Czech prime minister’s comments followed US president Barack Obama’s pledge in Warsaw on Tuesday to commit more troops to Central and Eastern Europe in response to tensions in Ukraine and the Russian annexation of Crimea. President Zeman is also in Warsaw to mark the 25 anniversary of free elections which presaged the fall of the Communist regime.

Coalition spat breaks out over Sobotka’s rejection of more NATO troops in Europe

The head of the smallest party in the governing coalition, the Christian Democrats, has hit out at Social Democrat Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka’s statement that the Czech Republic would not be calling for more NATO troops in Europe. The Christian Democrat’s Pavel Bělobrádek said Mr. Sobotka’s comments were completely unacceptable and irresponsible. In response to President Barack Obama’s pledge to put an extra USD 1 billion into defence in Eastern Europe, the Czech prime minister said on Tuesday that there was at present no need to increase the number of NATO soldiers on the ground in Europe.

Prime minister fined for failure to get lustration clearance

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has been fined 10,000 crowns for allowing finance minister Andrej Babiš into the government without proof that he did not have an incriminating past from the era of former communist Czechoslovakia. The fine was decided by officials at Prague 1 district council. The government said in a statement Wednesday that Sobotka disagreed with the verdict and would appeal against it in the near future. One of the grounds of appeal is the argument that government ministers are not subject to the so called lustration process. Babiš is currently involved in a court battle with a Slovak archive and historical institute over allegations he was recruited as a communist secret police agent.

Czech economy grows by 2.5 percent in first quarter

The Czech economy has grown by 2.5 percent in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period a year earlier according to the Czech Statistics Office. That’s a lot higher than was previously expected and the strongest quarterly figure for the last three years. The office has previously estimated that the economy grew by 2.0 percent between January and March. Even so, the advance puts the Czech economy just slightly below the level it was at in the third quarter of 2011, when the country started to slip into recession.

Tibet representative regrets Czech about turn

A representative of Tibet’s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has described it as very sad that the Czech government has switched its stand with regard to the country occupied by China and support for human rights and freedom. On a visit to Prague, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, who is is second placed in the exiled parliament, said the Czech government should have continued its former support for Tibet. He added though that what counted was the support of people not governments. Tenphel, who was invited to the Czech Republic by the Václav Havel Library, said that pressure should be maintained on Chinese leaders to try and safeguard some remnants of Tibetan culture and freedom which were under continuous attack. Former Czech president Havel was a vocal supporter of Tibet. The current Czech government has dropped its former criticism of China over the occupation of Tibet and the ongoing situation there.

ANO poll lead put at around 10 percentage points

The ANO party has opened up an almost 10 percent point lead on the second-placed Social Democrats in the opinion polls according to the results of one survey released on Wednesday. The poll by the STEM agency gave ANO support from 27.5 percent of those questioned. The Social Democrats scored 18 percent with the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia in third place with 13.5 percent and centre-right TOP 09 in fourth with 9.8 percent. The Christian Democrats, Dawn Party, and Civic Democrats would all pass the five percent threshold to get into the lower house of parliament according to the poll carried out between May 20 and 27. The latest poll is in line with others putting ANO out in front for voter preferences.

Czech Republic face Canada for Fed Cup 2015 first round

In tennis, the Czech Republic has been drawn against Canada in the first round of the women’s team competition, the Fed CUP. The Czech team will have to fly to Canada next year for the matches taking place on February 7 and 8. The Czech team are already in the finals of this year’s competition which takes place against Germany on November 8 and 9. The Czech Republic won the competition in 2011 and 2012.

Martina Navratilová voices tennis trainer ambitions

Staying with tennis, Czech-born legend Martina Navratilová says she wants to work as a trainer but has not received the right offer. The 57-year old winner of 18 Grand Slam events admitted in a newspaper interview on Wednesday that her other engagement might mean that she might only be available as an advisor for some of the big events. Navratilová, who took US citizenship after leaving communist era Czechoslovakia, said she was open to training men or women players.

Czechs still looking for first win under Vrba after friendly defeat to Austria

The Czech Republic were beaten 2:1 by Austria in a football friendly in Olomouc on Tuesday night. It was their first defeat under new coach Pavel Vrba, a result that followed two draws. The hosts’ only goal was a stunning long-range effort from Tomáš Hořava of Viktoria Plzeň. The squad for Tuesday’s game was almost entirely composed of players from the Czech league, with the only exception striker Matěj Vydra of West Bromwich Albion. The Czech Republic did not qualify for the World Cup in Brazil and are preparing for qualification games for the 2016 European Championships.

03.6.2014

Sobotka: Czechs will not call for increased NATO presence in Europe

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka says the Czech Republic will be calling for an increase in the presence of NATO troops in Europe. Mr. Sobotka made the comments in reaction to American President Barack Obama’s announcement on a visit to Poland that the US was planning to invest USD 1 billion in increasing its military presence in Eastern Europe in view of the situation in Ukraine and instability in the region. Speaking on a visit to Vienna, the Czech leader said he understood why Poland or the Baltic States were in favour of a greater US military presence. But he said he believed there would be no need to increase the number of NATO soldiers on the ground in Europe for some years if things remained as they were now.

ANO boss Babiš wants to change coalition agreement and bring back hospital fees

The minister of finance, Andrej Babiš of ANO, says he wants to hold talks with coalition partners the Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats on reintroducing a fee for overnight hospital stays. The three parties agreed to abolish the fees in a coalition deal signed in January. However, Mr. Babiš said on Czech Television on Monday night that doing away with the CZK 100 a night fee was a mistake. He also wants to discuss bringing back a second pillar of the pension system, another legacy of the previous centre-right cabinet abolished by the current government. The Social and Christian Democrats have reacted coolly to the ANO chief’s call.

Deal reached to keep Prague’s Opencard in operation till end of June as city tries to strike deal with operator over price

Prague’s Opencard electronic card system will remain working as it is until at least the end of this month after the city authorities reached a deal with the company that operates it. There had been a threat that the firm eMoneyServices would stop issuing new cards from June 18. The two sides are in dispute over the cost of the service and councilors have threatened to do away with the Opencard entirely and return to paper travel passes only. Prague’s transport authority has said if no agreement on continuing with the card is reached it would be ready to have a paper ticket only system in place within weeks. eMoneyServices has significantly reduced its original price for continuing to operate the Opencard and talks with City Hall are still taking place. The card is used for transport and other services.

Sobotka suggests joint Czech-Austrian cabinet sessions on Vienna visit

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka says Czech and Austrian ministers should hold regular meetings, following the model of joint sessions that the Czech cabinet hold with their Slovak counterparts. Mr. Sobotka made the comment in Vienna on Tuesday after talks with the Austrian president Heinz Fischer. The two men discussed deepening cooperation between the Visegrad Four and Austria and the crisis in Ukraine. The Czech leader said his country could take inspiration from Austria’s public transport and active approach to combating unemployment.

Institute overseeing secret police files under threat, says director

The future of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, which oversees the files of the communist-era secret police, is under threat, its recently appointed director Zdeněk Hazdra said on Tuesday. Speaking at a Senate hearing prior to the election of a new Institute board, Mr. Hazdra said the agency was suffering from internal divisions and a lack of interest on the part of the public. The Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes was set up by a right-wing government in 2007 and has come under pressure since the left have gained the upper hand in the Senate, which selects its board. Critics say it has been poorly managed and unprofessional in the digitisation of historical materials.

Police investigating car explosion in central Prague

A bomb placed under the car of a Russian speaking driver exploded in Prague’s Nusle district on Monday night. The explosion was triggered when the driver started the car, but it only damaged part of the vehicle and the driver escaped unhurt. Bomb experts were called to the scene and police are searching for a possible motif.

Films from several former Eastern Bloc states to feature in main competition at 49th Karlovy Vary IFF

A number of pictures from the former Eastern Bloc will be among the dozen in contention for the Crystal Globe for Best Film at the 49th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival next month, organisers said on Tuesday. They include Corn Island by Georgian director George Ovashvili, Welkome Home [sic] by Russia’s Angelina Nikonova and Free Fall by Hungarian helmer Gyorgy Palfi. There will be two Czech films in the main competition: Nowhere in Moravia, the directorial debut of actor Miroslav Krobot, and Fair Play by Andrea Sedláčková. The festival runs from July 4 to 12.

69th Prague Spring comes to close with performance by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

The 69th Prague Spring International Music Festival will come to a close on Tuesday night with a performance by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Smetana Hall of Prague’s Municipal House. The ensemble will play Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony and Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D major featuring US soloist Hilary Hahn. This year the Prague Spring has featured more Czech compositions than usual as part of its involvement in the Year of Czech Music.

Berdych beaten in French Open quarter-finals by Latvia’s Gublis

The Czech tennis player Tomáš Berdych has been knocked out in the quarter-finals at the French Open in Paris. The 28-year-old, who had been seeded sixth, lost 3-6 2-6 4-6 on Tuesday to Ernest Gulbis of Latvia, who beat Roger Federer in a previous round. Though Berdych lost in less than two hours, reaching the quarter-finals still represents his second best placing at Roland Garros.

Temperatures expected to reach 30 degree Celsius mark at weekend

Forecasters say the Czech Republic can expect a marked increase in temperatures at the end of the week. While on Friday temperatures should reach around 25 degrees Celsius, thermometers could hit the 32 degrees Celsius mark on Sunday, a representative of the Czech Meteorological Institute said on Tuesday. If the mercury climbs as high as expected temperature records may be broken, the official said.

02.6.2014

EC recommends simplifying tax system, improving tax collection and addressing discrimination on labour market

In its annual recommendations to member states, the European Commission has advised the Czech Republic to simplify its tax system, improve tax collection, implement a civil service law by the end of the year and address discrimination on the labour market.The report says that the discrimination of women on the labour market is one of the worst in the EU, both in terms of the differences in salary for men and women doing the same job and the fact that the lack of nurseries and pre-school facilities allow only five percent of mothers to return to work as soon as they would like after taking maternity leave, while the EU average is 30 percent. The difference in salaries between men and women is reportedly one of the highest in the EU, with women consequently getting lower pensions as well.

Deputy Justice Minister confirms her resignation

Deputy Justice Minister Hana Marvanová has announced she is leaving her post at the ministry and returning to her private practice as a lawyer. She made the announcement late on Sunday following a meeting with the head of the ANO party Andrej Babiš. Mr. Babiš called the meeting when conflict between the party’s Justice Minister Helena Valkova and Hana Marvanová reached a head. He asked Ms. Marvanová to serve as his own legal advisor at the Finance Ministry. The justice minister and her deputy reportedly failed to agree on a number of issues including lawyers’ fees and the appointment of court officials. Hana Marvanová is to be replaced by Robert Pelikán the Finance Ministry’s Legal Department head next week.

Urban developers nod to Winged Lion statue in Klárov

The Prague Department of Housing and Urban Development has given its approval to locate a statue in honour of the two thousand Czechs and Slovaks who fought in Britain’s Royal Air Force during World War II in Klárov, a square beside Manes Bridge. The approval came despite vehement protests from the Czech National Heritage Institute which turned down the application on the grounds that the Winged Lion Memorial was “inappropriate and incompatible” with this part of the historical centre of Prague, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The statue, designed by Colin Spofforth, was paid for by the British community here in Prague. It is to be unveiled on June 17 at a ceremony attended among others by June by Winston Churchill’s grandson, British Member of Parliament Nicholas Soames.

State budget posts 9.5 billion crown deficit in May

The state budget showed a 9.5 billion crown gap at the end of May, posting a deficit for the first time since the beginning of this year, while in April it showed a surplus of almost 27 billion, the Finance Ministry said on Monday. The figure is nevertheless the best May result since at least 2000, the ministry said. In May of last year, the budget showed a deficit of nearly 40 billion crowns. The budget approved for the entire year envisages a deficit of 112 billion crowns.

Czech ANO party wants to join European liberals

The ANO party of the ruling coalition has asked to join the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), the third strongest group in the European Parliament, newly elected MEP Pavel Telička told journalists on Monday. A decision is expected in the coming weeks. ANO won the recent European elections in the Czech Republic, gaining four out of the country’s 21 mandates in the EP. ALDE leader, former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, has already voiced interest in cooperating with ANO.

People filing insurance claims in wake of quake

People from the Cheb region have started filing insurance claims for damages caused by Saturday’s earthquake. Although the region suffers occasional tremors, Saturday’s quake measured 4.5 on the Richter scale and is the second strongest quake measured in the region over a century. Preliminary damage estimates are at around half a million crowns. Most people are reporting cracks in walls, broken windows and chimneys.

Number of registered HIV cases shoots up in first four months of 2014

The number of freshly registered cases of HIV in the Czech Republic has shot up this year, the news website iDnes.cz reported. Ninety-nine people were found to have the disease by the end of April, two-thirds more than in the same period last year and more than in the whole of 2006. In April alone 25 fresh cases were registered. Eighty-four percent of the Czech Republic’s total of 2,221 known HIV sufferers are men. Doctors say the country ranks among European states with a relatively low incidence of the disease but say they are alarmed by the recent sharp rise in the number of patients.

Tomáš Podivínský to be new ambassador to Germany

Former environment minister Tomáš Podivínský is to be the country’s new ambassador to Germany, according to the weekly Respekt. Respect says Podivínský’s nomination has won approval from the foreign ministry, the prime minister and the president. He is to replace the outgoing ambassador to Berlin Rudolf Jindrák who has served in the post for eight years, the longest tenure in the country’s modern history.

Liberec Zoo celebrates birth of white tiger

Liberec Zoo is celebrating the birth of a precious white tiger, the third successful birth since the breeding program was launched in 1994. The tigers’ pavilion has been closed to visitors and will remain so until the end of June. People can follow the cub’s development on the zoo’s website. There are only several dozen white tigers left in the wild.

Sparta’s Hušbauer voted player of season in Czech league

Josef Hušbauer of champions Sparta Prague has been voted player of the season in the Czech soccer league. The midfielder, who is 24, topped a poll of managers and captains. Sparta boss Vítězslav Lavička was voted manager of the year while Patrik Hrošovský of Viktoria Plzeň picked up the discovery of the year prize at a ceremony in Prague on Sunday night. Hušbauer is currently with the Czech squad ahead of a friendly game with Austria in Olomouc on Tuesday night.

01.6.2014

Czech president invites newly elected president of Ukraine to Prague

President Miloš Zeman has invited the newly elected president of Ukraine Petr Poroshenko to Prague. In an interview on a Czech TV politics show on Sunday, Mr. Zeman said he would welcome it if Mr. Poroshenko were to hold talks with oligarch Rinat Akhmetov from the Donetsk region in a bid to forestall future conflict and prevent an open civil war. Mr. Akhmetov recently split from pro-Russian separatists who threatened to nationalise his assets. The Czech president said that instead of the repression of the civilian population currently occurring in Ukraine the two men needed to make efforts to find a reasonable solution. He said the further escalation of violence in Ukraine would offer Russia a pretext to intervene militarily.

Zeman praises cabinet for plans to index link pensions and boost tax breaks for parents of more than one child

President Miloš Zeman has praised the government for its plans to index link pensions and increase monthly tax breaks for parents who have more than one child. Speaking on a Czech TV politics show on Sunday, the head of state also said he was glad that preparations for a civil service law were making progress. Mr. Zeman said he could only find fault with the Social Democratic Party-headed coalition for stalling on the introduction of a social housing bill. The president said he planned to attend a meeting of the government on June 16.

Delegates from around world attend midwives congress in Prague

Around 3,500 delegates from around the world are taking part in an International Congress of Midwives which began on Sunday and runs until Thursday. Czech participants are demanding changes to the law in connection with a large increase in the number of women wishing to give birth at home since the fall of communism; such births are permitted but not covered by health insurance. The first International Congress of Midwives was held in Prague in 1925, when the delegates were welcomed by President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk.

Mild winter brings savings of up to 15 percent for Czech households

The average Czech household spent 13 to 15 percent less on heating costs due to the relatively mild winter, a spokesperson for the country’s association of heat suppliers told the news website Lidovky.cz. The winter was one of the warmest in the last 80 years, leading to household savings of an average of CZK 1,300. Saturday saw the formal end of the “heating season”.

International Children’s Day celebrated in Czech Republic

International Children’s Day is being marked at many places in the Czech Republic. In Prague around 30 events are taking place, including at the Senate, where special tours are being provided by guides in period costumes, and Žluté lázně, where as part of a “comics day” children have the chance to play in costumes of international and Czech comic book characters. Other Children’s Day events are planned for after Sunday, including at the traditional venue of the city’s Letná Plain.

Remains of fallen soldiers moved ahead of Olšany crypt renovation

The remains of thousands of soldiers are being moved from the cemetery in Prague to a former munitions store near Říčany. The first of around 3,000 coffins of soldiers killed in action after 1930 were transferred on Saturday due to the planned renovation of a crypt at the Olšany cemetery that has fallen into serious disrepair. The renovation will take about two years and will be carried out within the framework of events to mark the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Czechoslovak Legions during WWI.

Berdych reaches quarter-finals at French Open

The Czech men’s tennis number one Tomáš Berdych has reached the quarter-finals at the French Open in Paris. Berdych, who is seeded sixth in the Grand Slam tournament, overcame John Isner of the United States 6-4 6-4 on Sunday afternoon. The Czech’s opponent in the last 16 tie will be either Switerzland’s Roger Federer or Ernest Gulbis of Latvia, who knocked Radek Štěpánek out in the third round.

Znojmo and Sigma Olomouc relegated from Czech soccer’s top flight

Znojmo and Sigma Olomouc were relegated from the Czech first division on a dramatic last day of the soccer season on Saturday. Znojmo went back down after only a year in the top flight after a 2:0 defeat to Dukla Prague left them bottom. Olomouc were relegated for the first time since 1984 after a 1:1 draw with Liberec. Bohemians 1905 managed to avoid the drop after a 1:1 draw with Plzeň and other results meant Slavia Prague stayed in the first division despite losing 2:0 to Baník Ostrava.

31.5.2014

ANO leadership discusses communal elections

Members of the top leadership of ANO, part of the country’s ruling coalition, met on Saturday to begin early preparations for communal elections in the autumn. In particular, members addressed whether former Prague mayor Jan Kasl would remain first on the movement's candidate list in the Czech capital. Mr Kasl had been put forward by ANO leader Andrej Babiš, but was at odds with former Social Democrat Radmila Kleslová being included as a candidate, in part because of her alleged ties to influential businessman Tomáš Hrdlička. In the end, the leadership confirmed that neither Mr Kasl nor Ms Kleslová would head the Prague ballot. ANO will look for another suitable candidate instead.

Earthquake, measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale, hits Cheb area

The region of Cheb on Saturday registered an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale, a week after seeing similar activity last week. The tremors were the strongest in several years. Fire fighters found cracks in some walls and a fallen chimney. The earthquake began below Nový Kostelec at a depth between eight and nine kilometers, a representative of the Academy of Sciences’ Geological Institute said. According to experts, the earthquakes this and last weekend could be part of a wave of increased seismic activity.

Police search for creditors harmed in get-rich scheme

Police in the area of Hradec Králové are looking for additional creditors defrauded of millions by a 35-year-old suspect in the Náchod area. The woman attracted lenders on the promise of a quick return. She convinced them she was able to buy euros cheaply at 23 crowns to the euro and sell them quickly at a profit for 27. The police suspect that the woman may have borrowed up to 20 million crowns. Police already know of nine people who were defrauded out of 7.7 million. According to reports, the suspect largely targeted friends and acquaintances.

Number of road fatalities in May lowest since 1990

The month of May saw the fewest number of road fatalities since 1990: 44. Last year the number was 51. Two hundred and twenty people involved in traffic accidents over the course of the month suffered serious injuries. The 12th and 21st were the worst days of the month, when five people died in accidents both days. There was a 12 day stretch when there were no traffic-related deaths.

Alice Cooper headlines first night at Metalfest

Friday saw the start of this year’s Metalfest, a hard rock music festival held outdoors at the amphitheater at Plzeň Zoo. This year, more than 35 local and foreign bands are performing. Metal legend Alice Cooper was the biggest draw on Friday night, after acting as ‘godfather’ earlier in the afternoon to a four-month-old baby rhino at Plzeň Zoo. Friday’s appearance launched Cooper’s three-week European tour, an organizer said.

French Open: Berdych advances to fourth round

No. 1 Czech men’s tennis player Tomáš Berdych advanced to the fourth round at Roland Garros on Friday with a win over Roberto Bautista. Berdych, the sixth seed in the tournament, dropped just one set. The final score was 6:1, 6:2, 6:7, 6:4. Berdych faces American John Isner next.

Hockey: Blackhawks force Game 7

The Chicago Blackhawks rallied on Friday to defeat rivals the L.A. Kings in the Western Conference Final in the Stanley Cup playoffs, forcing a deciding Game 7 in the Windy City. The winner of the match-up will face the New York Rangers in the final. A win by the defending champion Blackhawks would leave one Czech in contention for a Stanley Cup ring - defenseman Michal Rozsival, who already has a ring from last year.

30.5.2014

Commissioner for EU enlargement expresses support for Ukraine and Georgian membership

The Commissioner for EU Enlargement, Štefan Fuele, has said in an interview for Die Welt that Ukraine, Georgia and Moldavia should become full-fledged members of the European Union – stressing that if change in eastern Europe was the goal, EU enlargement was the strongest instrument. At the same time, the Czech commissioner said, the union needed political and institutional changes to help with enlargement and deeper integration. In addition to further expansion, the commissioner - who ends his term later this year - expressed support for a several tier or multi-speed Europe.

Despite Temelín tender cancellation nuclear power still best option for Czech Republic, says Mládek

The decision to cancel a tender process for the extension of the Temelín nuclear power station in South Bohemia does not mean that the Czech Republic has given up on nuclear power, says the minister of industry and trade, Jan Mládek. Mr. Mládek told Friday’s edition of Mladá fronta Dnes that it remained the best option for the country as regards power generation. He and the minister of finance will produce a draft plan by the end of the year under which nuclear would replace coal-fired power plants by around 2030, he told the newspaper. New blocks might not be at Temelín but at the Czech Republic’s second nuclear station at Dukovany, Mr. Mládek said.

Czech Society of Cardiology awarded for contribution in treating acute heart failure

The Czech Society of Cardiology (CKS) was awarded the Dr Lee Long-wook Memorial Prize by the World Health Organisation this month for its contribution to treating acute heart failure. Back in January, Czech Health Minister Martin Holcát addressed WHO in a letter stressing that research by Czech cardiologists had allowed thousands of acute heart attack sufferers worldwide to benefit from advanced treatment methods. Members of the Society of Cardiology, including its chairman, Miloš Táborský, met in the Czech capital on Friday. The WHO presented the annual prize a week ago to CKS secretary Jaromír Hradec. The CKS, established in 1929, is the second oldest cardiology society in Europe and the third oldest in the world.

PM calls meeting with Válková and deputy minister

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has called a meeting for next week with Justice Minister Helena Válková and Deputy Justice Minister Hana Marvanová over apparently growing tensions at the Justice Ministry. The prime minister made clear he wanted to hear explanations from both women, as well as from the head of coalition partner ANO, Andrej Babiš. The minister and her deputy are reportedly at odds on a number of issues including the naming of judges. Some close to the prime minister have suggested there could be changes at the ministry in coming days; for some time there have been rumors the ministry was not being well run.

Website: Visegrad Four could launch Russian-language TV broadcast

The Czech Republic and fellow Visegrad Four countries Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, are considering launching a ‘Voice of Europe’ style television broadcast aimed at Russian speakers in Ukraine, website Lidové noviny writes. According to the daily, the broadcast would address those whose primary source of news in the Russian language was controlled by the Kremlin. In the ongoing crisis, Russia has been fighting a sophisticated information war, according to sources. Officials at the Czech Foreign Ministry have stressed the need for stable and independent media in Ukraine as well as other ex-Soviet states.

Poll: Babiš most trusted of party leaders

A new survey released by the CVVM agency suggests that just under 60 percent of Czech trust Andrej Babiš most among the party leaders or top party members in the Chamber of Deputies. The prime minister, Bohuslav Sobotka, ranked second at 47 percent, and controversial politician Tomio Okamura, the head of the anti-immigration Dawn Party, ranked third with 43 percent. Zuzuana Roithová, of the Christian Democrats, was fourth with 41 percent; others, such as former foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg of the opposition TOP 09 ranked 39 percent or less. Among Czech parties, Andrej Babiš ANO movement recently won the elections to the European Parliament, narrowly edging TOP 09 and coalition partners the Social Democrats.

Krejcíř trial adjourned

The trial of Czech fugitive business Radovan Krejcíř and five others in South Africa facing charges of kidnapping, assault and attempted murder, has been adjourned until June 9. The lawyer defending him has asked to be able to call additional witnesses, largely from among police ranks. The Czech News Agency reported some were individuals Mr Krejcíř had allegedly targeted. Krejcíř has been described in the South African media as a major underworld figure. The suspect, who has asked for asylum in the country, is also wanted in the Czech Republic.

Tennis: Štepanek loses to Gulbis in third round at Roland Garros

In the men’s draw, Radek Štěpánek faced Ernest Gulbis of Latvia on Friday but couldn’t match his opponent’s game. Gulbis notched an impressive 19 aces and won the match in straight sets: 3:6, 2:6 and 5:7.

The Czech men’s No.1, Tomáš Berdych, leads Roberto Bautista of Spain in their third round match.

Kvitová and Šafářová reach third round at French Open

Czech players Petra Kvitová and Lucie Šafářová have reached the third round at tennis’s French Open. Kvitová, who is seeded sixth, overcame Marina Erackovic of New Zealand 6-4 6-4 on Thursday evening, while Šafářová beat Australia’s Casey Dellacqua 6-1 5-7 6-3 to advance to the third round at Roland Garros for the second time in her career.

Hockey: Canadiens defeated

Hopes of reaching this year’s Stanley Cup final were dashed for forward Tomáš Plekanec and his fellow Montreal Canadiens on Thursday as the Habs faced the New York Rangers in Game 6 of their series. Chasing Rangers’ goalie Lundquist in their prior match, the Canadiens were unable to score this time around. The Rangers won 1:0 at home and will face either Chicago or L.A. in the final. Should defending champions Chicago defeat the Los Angeles Kings, one Czech will remain in contention for a Stanley Cup ring: defenseman Michal Rozsíval, who won with the Blackhawks last year.

29.5.2014

Senate rejects one of three of president’s candidates for top court

The Senate has rejected one of President Miloš Zeman’s candidates for the post of Constitutional Court judge, Jiří Nykodým. While serving previously as a Constitutional Court judge, the lawyer played a role in the rejection of a complaint taken against a controversial church restitution bill last year. The president will now have to find a new candidate. Two others were made Constitutional Court judge in a secret vote at the Senate on Thursday: Vojtěch Šimíček and Tomáš Lichovník.

Study: Roma represent 28 percent of pupils at schools for children with learning difficulties

Children from the Roma minority represent 28 percent of the pupils at schools for those with learning difficulties, according to a survey carried out for the national school inspectors’ body. Deputy Education Minister Jindřich Fryč presented the results of the study at an international conference about Romany education in Prague on Thursday. Responding to the figures, the minister for human rights, Jiří Dienstbier, told the Czech News Agency that the Czech Republic was failing when it came to inclusive education.

Former Charles University president Hampl to run for Senate

A former president of Charles University, Václav Hampl, has announced plans to stand for a Senate seat later this year. Mr. Hampl will run as an independent backed by the Christian Democrats and the Greens. The physiologist said he would draw on his eight years of experience at the helm of Charles University. He was involved in some political disputes in that period, protesting against education reforms proposed by then minister Josef Dobeš and clashing with President Miloš Zeman over the naming of a professor. A third of the Senate’s 81 seats will be contested in the latter half of 2014.

Dawn would not return to Parliament but Greens would reach threshold, poll suggests

The populist Dawn party would not make it back into Parliament if elections were held now, suggests an opinion poll carried out by the ppm factum agency. By contrast, the Green Party, who failed to make the five percent threshold in October’s elections, would win seats in the lower house, the poll indicates. ANO, who came second, would now finish first with 22.5 percent of the vote, ahead of October’s winners the Social Democrats, who would now receive 19.4 percent.

Some rivers still swelling but flood warnings scaled back

Persistent rain in the Czech Republic is continuing to cause some rivers to swell. Among them is the Berounka, which flows into the Vltava. Fears that the latter will also rise have led to quays in Prague being closed as a preventative measure. People in the Plzeň region, around Mladá Bolesav and in Jeseník have seen some water damage but latest reports say the situation in those areas is becoming calmer. Forecasters have scaled back flood warnings, with the lowest level of flood alert now in place in only four regions.

Study warns of long term drought threat

Although floods are in the news, preparations are being made at the Ministry of Environment to cushion the effects of a disastrous drought caused by climate change. A large swathe of the Czech Republic including some of the most fertile agricultural land across the centre of the country could be threatened according to a report which will go to the government, the daily Mladá fronta Dnes reported on Thursday. It pointed out that the costs of a drought in Western Europe last year was almost as high as the bill for floods in Central Europe in 2002. Proposals for dealing with a Czech drought include a tenfold increase in water charges for those who exceed consumption limits.

Around fifth of Czechs have cigarette habit, says representative of group helping smokers quit

More than two million people smoke cigarettes in the Czech Republic, according to Jarmila Greplová, a representative of Život bez cigaret, a group that helps smokers quit. The country’s population is 10.5 million. Speaking to the Czech News Agency ahead of Saturday’s World No Tobacco Day, Ms. Greplová said one in eight Czech smokers was under 18. An estimated 18,000 people die of smoking related illnesses in the Czech Republic every year.

Treasures from National Theatre’s music archive to go on display

The National Theatre in Prague is preparing to exhibit valuable items from its musical archive as part of the ongoing Year of Czech Music. The handwritten manuscripts of two operas by Bohuslav Martinů, and the original scores of works by Antonín Dvořák and Leoš Janáček that received their world premieres at the theatre are among the treasures that will be on display on the balcony on the first floor of the historic building from Monday until September, a representative told journalists on Thursday.

More foals of rare Przewalski breed born at Prague zoo

Two foals of the rare Przewalski breed have been born at Prague zoo in the last week, a spokesperson said on Thursday. A colt was born on Saturday and a filly on Wednesday. The births bring to over 220 the number of Przewalski foals born in Prague. In the last three years a dozen of the horses have been introduced to the wild in their country of origin, Mongolia. Another transport of Przewalski horses from Prague is planned for this year.