Czech news in brief for August 21: Wednesday's top headlines

The Czech government has confirmed that the current Ministry of Industry Jozef Síkela will be Czechia’s new European Commissioner, as confirmed by Prime Minister Petr Fiala at around 4:30 p.m. today. That government proposed Síkela as the sole candidate, despite the government's initial plan to nominate two people. Fiala believes that Síkela's experience in both the executive and business sectors makes him well-suited for the role. Síkela has outlined his plans for the European Commission, including better support for businesses, energy security, and the development of strategic technologies. 

Commemorating the 56th anniversary of the Warsaw Pact invasion into then Czechoslovakia today, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that Moscow's decision to invade in 1968 was a miscalculation, as citizens stood united against the troops instead of being divided (as the Soviets expected them to be). The Soviet Union feared losing control over Eastern Europe and saw Czechoslovakia as a threat, the prime minister reminded the public at a remembrance ceremony today. Fiala praised the role of Czechoslovak Radio in providing unbiased information and inspiring demonstrations against the occupation. 

According to the NMS Market Research agency, the ANO opposition movement would win hypothetical parliamentary elections in August with 29.3 percent of the popular vote, increasing its vote share. The Civic Democratic Party would come in second with 14.3 percent, followed by the junior government Mayors and Independents and the Pirates parties. The right-wing Freedom and Direct Democracy saw lower numbers of support compared to earlier this year, now standing a just 6 percent. The voter turnout is set to be around 56 percent. De facto parliamentary elections will take place in October 2025

Authorities this afternoon responded to a potentially unexploded aerial bomb found at a chemical plant in Litvínov-Záluží near the city of Most (Ústí nad Labem). A bomb disposal team attended the area to assess the situation and discern whether the explosive was live, and authorities ordered a partial evacuation of the area. Workers discovered the object during excavation in a remote part of the site. Intervening police officers set a safety perimeter of 300 meters around the suspicious find. 

According to the Czech Statistical Office, the pace of food price increases in the Czech Republic slowed in August, with prices rising for eight of 13 monitored items but by less than 3 percent. Notably, the price of eggs dropped 7.12 percent, and sugar fell 6.84 percent. However, butter, apples, and Edam remain at their highest prices this year. Year-on-year, food prices generally decreased, with sugar down 26.02 percent.

Hundreds gathered at the Russian embassy in Prague to commemorate the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia and express solidarity with Ukraine. The demonstration featured sparklers, symbolically directed at the embassy, and speeches by Charter 77 signatories. Organized by groups including People in Need and Million Moments for Democracy, the event underscored the ongoing relevance of resisting Russian aggression, connecting past and present struggles for freedom.

A portion of the income from frozen Russian assets in the European Union will be used to supply Ukraine with ammunition, Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová announced. The Czech Republic will purchase hundreds of thousands of large-caliber rounds. This decision is part of an EU initiative to support Ukraine using Russian funds, with deliveries expected in the coming months. Specific financial details were not disclosed.

President Petr Pavel said after a meeting with prison experts that the Czech prison system is in a serious state. He emphasized the need to stabilize Prison Service staffing and rejected amnesty as a solution to overcrowding. Pavel called for comprehensive reform, including amendments to the Criminal Code and cooperation across multiple ministries. The Czech Republic has one of Europe’s highest incarceration rates, exacerbating systemic challenges in the penal system.

The Active September campaign aims to boost physical activity among Czechs, as only one-third exercise weekly, and just 10 percent of seniors do. Launched by the Active Czechia Foundation, the initiative highlights the importance of regular exercise for health. Over 400 events, including fitness center open days and competitions, will be held nationwide starting Sept. 4. The campaign also addresses high obesity rates among Czech adults.

Scientists at the Moravian Regional Museum have determined that the Věstonická Venus, the world’s oldest ceramic statuette, is made of rock fragments and small fossils, not mammoth bones as previously thought. Using micro-CT scans, researchers also discovered extensive cracks in the 25,000-year-old figurine, increasing the risk of breakage. The museum plans to adjust handling methods to prevent damage and will exhibit the statuette next year.

The second year of the Tady Vary film preview project will kick off on October 2 with the screening of Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. The project debuted last year and saw nearly 25,000 viewers across 56 cinemas. This year, 67 cinemas will participate, expanding the program’s reach to new locations, including the Imperial Baths in Karlovy Vary.