Czech news in brief for February 1: Saturday's top headlines

Former Czech President Miloš Zeman met with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár in Lány on Thursday, emphasizing the need for strong Czech-Slovak relations. Zeman expressed support for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico amid recent diplomatic tensions. The meeting follows Slovakia’s criticism of Czech political interference. Blanár also met with former President Václav Klaus, affirming historically close ties between the two nations.

The Czech government will discuss a proposed four-level terrorism threat system on Wednesday. The new framework will replace the current three-level system and aims to better reflect the deteriorating global security situation. The Interior Ministry emphasizes that the change is not in response to specific threats but an update to adapt to current conditions. The government will also consider extending the second threat level until the end of 2025.

In January, 27 people died in traffic accidents across Czechia, a decrease of 11 from last year, according to preliminary police statistics. The highest number of accidents and fatalities occurred in the Central Bohemian Region, where over 1,000 accidents were reported and seven people were killed. The deadliest day was Jan. 18, when four people lost their lives. The cause of accidents was primarily driving inappropriate for road conditions.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský suggested that the government should consider legislation allowing exceptions to International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for diplomatic visits. Lipavský pointed to practices in other countries, such as France, which ensure impunity for certain officials despite ICC warrants. The proposal would allow the Czech government to decide on foreign policy grounds whether to enforce such warrants, particularly during high-level visits.

This morning, temperatures in Šumava, on the Czech Republic's border with Germany, dropped to -20.2 degrees Celsius, the coldest in the country. Southern Bohemia recorded morning lows between -6 degrees Celsius and -9 degrees Celsius, with Tábor being the warmest at -4.2 degrees Celsius. In Prague, temperatures dipped to -3 degrees Celsius this morning and are expected to rise to highs of around 3 degrees Celsius during the day. Forecasters predict another frosty morning on Sunday.

The Czech opposition has once again stalled a parliamentary vote on raising public TV and radio fees, using procedural tactics to delay the bill. MPs from ANO and SPD blocked debate for hours Thursday, preventing discussion for a second straight day. The government plans an urgent session on Feb. 12, where filibustering will be limited. The proposed bill would raise fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio, a move the opposition calls a “new tax.”

The Czech tennis team leads South Korea 2-0 after the opening singles matches in their Davis Cup qualifier in Ostrava. Jiří Lehečka defeated Gerard Campana Lee 6-3, 6-3, while Tomáš Macháč won against Kwon Soon-woo 6-2, 6-2. The Czechs are just one win away from advancing to the next phase. Captain Tomáš Berdych praised the team's performance, stating they are prepared to secure the decisive point in tomorrow's doubles match.

Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero dedicated her Prague concert Thursday to Jan Darmovzal, a Czech citizen imprisoned in Venezuela. Montero, a critic of the Maduro regime, called for his release, saying he was jailed for "nothing more than adventure tourism." Darmovzal was detained in September alongside others accused of destabilizing Venezuela. His parents attended the concert, where Montero performed a Czech-themed improvisation in solidarity.

Nearly half of acute care hospital beds in Czechia remain unoccupied, with the average occupancy rate falling to 56 percent in 2022, officials said this week. Some regions report even lower rates, leading to a reduction of 1,867 acute beds this year. Meanwhile, demand for aftercare beds is rising, with occupancy increasing to 81 percent. Health insurers are factoring in bed occupancy in hospital contracts, and the government is considering further streamlining.

Czech police evicted 1,284 people from their homes for domestic violence last year, a rise of 196 cases from 2023, officials said Wednesday. Only 47 of the evicted were women. Police can order a 10-day eviction to protect victims. A new law requires officers to inform perpetrators about professional help options. Parliament is also considering stronger legal protections for victims of domestic violence.

A Czech petition against academic anti-Semitism urges the EU not to suspend its association agreement with Israel, organizers said Wednesday. The petition argues that such a move contradicts a 2019 Czech parliamentary resolution rejecting anti-Semitism. It follows calls by some European nations and NGOs to suspend the agreement over Israel’s actions in Gaza. The EU remains divided, with some states supporting Israel and others demanding stricter measures.