Czech news in brief for December 25: Wednesday's top headlines

Czech citizens abroad can vote by post in next autumn’s general election, following a government-backed amendment. Opposition parties ANO and SPD failed to delay the change. The election precedes planned voting reforms in 2026, introducing a unified system. Campaigning has unofficially begun, with speculation about new political groupings. Ex-PM Andrej Babiš will lead ANO in Moravia-Silesia, a key region for the polls.

Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda and city leaders served traditional fish soup on Old Town Square to the homeless, locals, and tourists. About 2,000 portions were prepared by Taiko, operator of Prague’s Christmas markets. The event, a festive tradition, drew large crowds. Other districts joined, offering fish soup at charity events. Prague’s markets, praised internationally, continue through Jan. 6.

Czechs buy and waste more food at Christmas, with 87 percent reporting leftovers, a STEM/MARK survey for Too Good To Go found. Initiatives like Nesnězeno and Save Food redirect surplus food to those in need, saving thousands of portions. Potato salad tops the list of wasted items. Food banks report record collections, helping vulnerable families during Advent while promoting mindful consumption and reducing waste.

A survey by Provident Financial shows improving Czech household finances for the third consecutive year, with 32 percent calling 2023 financially successful, up from 25 percent in 2022. Fewer households are cutting spending, and 50 percent expect financial stability or improvement next year. Key expenses include energy bills and vacations. Analysts note cautious spending habits and increased savings, signaling responsible financial behavior despite economic challenges.

Prague firefighters reported four Christmas-related fires, including a Žižkov apartment blaze causing CZK 5 million in damages. Fires also displaced children and families in Prague 4. Separately, a fireworks explosion in Háje injured four people. In total, firefighters handled 38 incidents, significantly above average.