Czech news in brief for February 14: Friday's top headlines

More people in Czechia are ordering flowers online for Valentine’s Day, with roses, tulips, and peonies in high demand, florists told ČTK. While brick-and-mortar stores report sales up to a third higher than usual, online purchases now surpass in-store sales. Shoptet CEO Samuel Huba noted that online flower sales have tripled in six years, especially in cities. Rose prices have risen by about 10 percent this year, with a large bouquet costing over CZK 1,000.

The Czech Interior Ministry reported a decline in anti-system movements in late 2024 but warned of increasing online radicalization. While extremist groups support Russian propaganda, physical violence remains rare. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan cautioned that underestimating these threats could have serious consequences. Some movement members faced legal action, and attempts to organize major protests failed, though security risks to democratic institutions are rising.

A Prague court sentenced a man to 150 hours of community service for making a Nazi salute during a Nov. 17 protest outside the government headquarters, a court official said. The man was convicted of expressing sympathy for a movement suppressing human rights. He did not appeal, making the ruling final. Police arrested six people during the anti-government and anti-Ukrainian demonstrations. The police also dealt with, for example, a man who was wearing an unauthorized military uniform and a demonstrator who had brought brass knuckles to the protest action. 

Czech police have charged five people linked to the country’s disinformation scene for aiding fugitive Tomáš Čermák, officials said Thursday. Čermák, convicted of supporting terrorism, hid for months before his arrest in Poland in 2023. He now faces additional charges. Four others, including Jana Peterková and Pavel Zítko, are accused of helping him evade justice. Čermák is accused of spreading anti-Ukraine and anti-vaccine sentiment and disseminating hate speech since 2020.

Fourteen percent of inspected school canteens and children's catering facilities in Prague failed to meet hygiene regulations in 2024, officials reported. Inspectors found issues with food storage, hygiene, and maintenance in 80 of 590 inspections. While no foodborne illnesses were confirmed, violations posed health risks. Authorities conducted temperature checks and microbiological tests, with some contamination found on kitchen surfaces but none in food samples.

Vietnam will allow visa-free stays of up to 45 days for tourists from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland traveling with an international tour agency between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2025, the government announced. The move aims to boost tourism and the economy. Individual travelers remain subject to visa requirements, according to the Czech Foreign Ministry. Officials say the policy aligns with efforts to ease entry and promote growth.

Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová said NATO defense ministers discussed a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine during talks in Brussels on Wednesday. She emphasized that such a mission should be led by a major NATO country, noting the challenges of a deployment without U.S. involvement. While no decision was made, ministers will consult their governments before further discussions. Some larger NATO nations have signaled willingness to participate.

The Czech crown strengthened against major currencies Thursday, dropping below 24 CZK/USD for the first time in February and trading at CZK 25:EUR 1. Meanwhile, the Prague Stock Exchange rose for the sixth consecutive session, with the PX index reaching a record 1,978.5 points, driven by banking stocks. Analysts say the crown was unaffected by recent economic data, and trading volume remained above average at CZK 930 million.

Opposition parties ANO and the Freedom and Direct Democracy party have blocked parliamentary debate for four days on a bill raising Czech Television and Czech Radio fees. Lawmakers discussed the proposal Wednesday at an extraordinary session, but the general debate has yet to begin. The bill would increase fees and extend them to internet-capable devices. The government says the change ensures financial stability, while opponents call it an unfair burden on citizens and businesses.

A 47-year-old skier from the Czech Republic died after falling off a slope at a ski resort in Szczyrk, Poland, on Wednesday, local media reported. Paramedics and a rescue helicopter responded but could not save him. Police confirmed he was wearing a helmet. The red slope where the accident occurred was temporarily closed, and no witnesses have come forward. Szczyrk is a popular resort in the Silesian Beskids.