Czech news in brief for December 15: Friday's top headlines

Czech Education Minister Mikuláš Bek agreed with unions and school representatives this afternoon to trim state-funded teaching hours in secondary schools to 95 percent of the current maximum. This decision, after their meeting, was deemed acceptable by Bek and Renata Schejbalová chair of the Association of Secondary School Principals. Fewer than half a percent of grammar schools will be impacted, needing to adjust teaching hours and staff accordingly starting Sept. 1, 2024. 

The proposal also eyes a similar reduction in primary schools, yet discussions on this are ongoing, aiming for resolution in early January. Initially, the ministry proposed cuts to 85 percent of current teaching hours for secondary and 94 percent for primary schools.

During an EU summit in Brussels this afternoon, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala highlighted EU unity against Putin's regime and praised talks initiating accession for Ukraine, Moldova, and granting candidate status to Georgia. 

However, Fiala expressed disappointment that consensus on revising the EU's budget for 2021-2027 failed due to Hungary's opposition to further aid for Ukraine, requiring further discussion in an upcoming extraordinary summit. Fiala emphasized the importance of Ukraine's resilience against Russian aggression. Negotiations for a revised budget, initially seeking EUR 66 billion (over CZK 1.6 trillion), narrowed to EUR 21 billion (CZK 515 million), but Hungary didn't endorse the proposal, extending discussions till early morning.

The Czech Cancer League has announced that in 2023 so far its charity collection has collected CZK 21.4 million – a 15-percent surge from last year. The Czech Cancer Day event in May saw the majority of donations collected, with over 720,000 symbolic flowers sold. The Cancer League will allocate funds for cancer prevention, research, patient support, and equipment. 

This year, 17 two-week rehab programs aided 136 cancer patients. The organization also conducted exhibitions across 27 locations and promoted healthy living in numerous schools. The event on May 10 featured volunteers offering blue-ribboned marigold flowers. Last year's CZK 18.6 million collection directed half to patient care, 3.1 million to prevention, and 2.3 million to research and healthcare upgrades. Donations via DMS or direct account support continue year-round.

President Petr Pavel has signed a new law that will see the parental allowance in the Czech Republic rise by CZK 50,000, to CZK 350,000, from January, applicable solely to parents of children born from the new year onwards. Benefit payments will also be reduced to three years, from four previously. The bill also sets out to streamline communication with labor offices when trying to claim parental allowance.

The increase, accounting for half of the total inflation rate since 2020, will also grant CZK 525,000 for twins. The impact on the state budget is estimated at CZK 400 million crowns next year, rising to CZK 5.5 billion by the end of this decade. The opposition's bid for a higher raise  – of CZK 60,000 – was unsuccessful. 

The main trial at the Regional Court in Brno involving a Ukrainian man accused of murdering a man of Roma origin has been adjourned until late January, with prosecutor Petr Bejšovec emphasizing the importance of witness statements. 

Defendant Roman Rohozin claims self-defense in the murder case involving a Roma victim, which led to high Ukraine-Roma tensions and several protests in June. Rohozin told the judge that he “feared for his life” when a fight broke out after he and his friends told a large group of Roma men to stop playing loud music on a tram. Three other men were injured in the brawl.

The Czech Republic will expand its highway network by a record 118.1 kilometers next year, Minister of Transport Martin Kupka told the press today. A section near Písek on the D4 highway, the southern part of the D3, and the D55 will all be expanded. 

The Directorate of Roads and Highways will spend over CZK 75 billion on the infrastructure plans – the highest annual sum for highway expansion ever. Presently, over 189 kilometers of highways are under maintenance and construction in Czechia. This year, only two new highways opened – a part of D48 and the Loun bypass on D7. Around 55 km of first-class roads were added. Delays in road projects persist due to objections, conservation concerns, and property settlements.

Prague City Hall today approved a donation of CZK 6 million to support Israeli villages such as Kibbutz Be'eri that have been badly hit by Hamas terrorist attacks. Following a request from the president of the Jewish National Fund in Czechia, Prague will channel funds through the KKL-JNF Czech Republic and Slovakia association, focusing on humanitarian, educational, and environmental projects.

In the City of Prague’s budget for next year, the municipality also decided to direct about CZK 250 million (originally earmarked for aid to Ukraine) to Israeli areas worst affected by the current Israel-Hamas war. The Czech government has also pledged to send money to Israel next year.

In Brussels, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala hailed the EU's decision to initiate accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, emphasizing the signal of interest in their futures. Czech President Petr Pavel praised the move, linking it to Czechia's security and prosperity.

The decision was made after intense negotiations, with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban initially opposing but reportedly leaving during the decision. The summit also supported granting Georgia candidate status. Fiala noted the challenges but highlighted EU unity. Czech President Pavel expressed support for Ukraine and Moldova, labeling it a crucial decision for their and Czechia's security and prosperity.

US-based Meta Platforms launched its social network Threads in Europe, posing a significant challenge to X Network (formerly Twitter). Initially hesitant due to potential fines, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the availability of Threads in European countries without requiring invitations. Users can access the platform at Threads.net or through mobile apps.

While registration is optional for viewing posts, it is necessary for full functionality. Threads, similar to X Network, emphasize short text posts but support photos and videos. The European launch coincides with X Network's struggles, facing advertiser departures due to Elon Musk's controversial statements.

Czech billionaire Radovan Vítek, facing criticism from American speculator Carson Block, established a special purpose vehicle (SPV) in Abu Dhabi, reports Bloomberg. Vítek, the sole shareholder of Rising Falcon Holding Limited and Rising Falcon Number 1 Holding Limited, registered the entities on Dec. 5, shortly after American investment firm Muddy Waters accused his company, CPI Property Group, of inflating asset values.

Vítek joins other wealthy entrepreneurs relocating to Abu Dhabi, including Elon Musk, Nassif Sawiris, CZ Zhao, the Adani family, Ray Dalio, and Vladimir Lisin. Vítek, primarily involved in real estate, owns CPI Property Group, ranking as the sixth richest person in the Czech Republic.

Prague plans to issue an eight-billion-crown tender for the construction of a new transport terminal at Smíchov railway station, replacing the Na Knížecí bus station. The terminal will integrate suburban and long-distance railway, metro, tram, urban, suburban bus, trolleybus, and electric bus stations. It will also include a large-capacity P+R parking lot.

The multi-level design aims to connect various modes of transport seamlessly. Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib cites the project's expanded scope for the increased estimated cost, defending the necessity of the P+R parking lot. Construction is expected to start at the end of next year, with completion in five to seven years.

The For Housing initiative, comprised of experts and academics advocating for those in need, urges the Czech cabinet to swiftly pass a housing support law. In an open letter, the initiative notes that 61,000 Czech children face unfavorable conditions, residing in temporary or insecure housing, hindering their education and future employment prospects.

The letter emphasizes the impact of unstable housing on children's learning environments and health. Referring to a government-planned housing bill, the initiative calls for the establishment of housing contact points in municipalities, aiming to reduce the number of people in housing need by 30 percent within ten years. The proposed law awaits government discussion.

Prague's City Assembly has approved the municipal budget for 2024, anticipating revenues of 105.8 billion crowns and expenditures of CZK 109.42 billion. The budget reflects year-on-year increases in both categories, with the difference covered by funds from previous years.

Investments, totaling CZK 21.32 billion, mark an increase of 1.12 billion from the current year, prioritizing transport and the continuation of the D metro line with a CZK 3.1 billion. Education tops current expenditures at CZK 27.51 billion, followed by health, social services, urban infrastructure, and security. Revenues include 74.65 billion from taxes, 2.9 billion from non-tax sources, and approximately 28.25 billion in state transfers.