Czech news in brief for January 1: Monday's top headlines

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala praised President Petr Pavel's New Year speech as balanced, realistic, and encouraging. Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš and Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová echoed positive sentiments, highlighting the dignified and forward-looking tone. Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil thanked the President for a clear and balanced speech.

However, Tomio Okamura of the opposition SPD criticized it as supportive of the government, accusing Pavel of dividing society. Karel Havlíček from ANO labeled it a pro-government speech, while Deputy Prime Minister Marian Jurečk found it interesting and Minister Martin Dvořák appreciated its non-offensive tone and emphasis on euro adoption.

In 2023, road traffic collisions in Czechia resulted in 461 deaths, a slight increase of seven from the previous year, as per preliminary police data. Despite this rise, 2022 marked the lowest death toll since 1961. Jiri Zly, the director of Czech traffic police, reported 28 fatalities in December, with the final count to be confirmed on Jan. 3.

Fortunately, no fatal injuries occurred during the Christmas period. The most tragic month was June, with 53 deaths, while February was the least tragic, recording 27 victims. The year 2023 stands as the third least tragic year for road fatalities.

In Vyškov, Czech Republic, the first child of 2024, a girl named Barborka, arrived one minute after midnight on New Year's Eve, weighing 3 kilograms and 90 grams. The birth, originally scheduled for Jan. 4, was hastened due to health complications.

Hospital director, Zdeněk Horák, mentioned that both the mother and baby are in good health. In Brno, the first child of the South Moravian Region, Naira, was born shortly before two o'clock in the morning. The Znojmo hospital welcomed Viktorie, the first child of the Znojmo district in 2024. Regional rewards for the parents are anticipated.

On Monday, the Czech Republic will implement most of the government's consolidation package, aiming to improve the state budget balance by 97.7 billion crowns in 2024. The measures include changes to personal income tax deductions, increased corporate income tax, higher self-employed levies, and ceilings for exemption from levies for contract work.

The value-added tax (VAT) rates will change, and the consumption tax on alcohol and tobacco will increase. The real estate tax rate will also rise. The state allowance for building savings will decrease, but tax benefits for old age savings will expand. Other changes will take effect throughout the year.

Czech actor Ivan Trojan, aged 59, realized his childhood dream by making his debut in the top Czech basketball league for Opava. In a match against Písek, Trojan contributed four points towards Opava's 105-94 victory. Despite only spending one minute and 37 seconds on the court, Trojan's debut was a hit, and his successful free throws earned him applause.

Trojan, a former youth player with Sparta Prague, received this opportunity as a gift ahead of his 60th birthday. Opava's coach, Petr Czudek, praised Trojan's involvement, and the match also had a charitable aspect, supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Club.

An amendment to the Road Traffic Act takes effect today in the Czech Republic. The changes include alterations to the points system, allowing driving from the age of 17 under the supervision of a mentor, introducing a test driving license, and abolishing the obligation to carry a driver's and technical license.

The state will now issue only one technical license instead of two. Additionally, new traffic signs will be introduced, and administration in the transport sector is expected to become simpler. The point system will be simplified from five bands to three, scoring offenses with two, four, or six points.

The Czech Republic experienced a tourism surge with a record 17.4 million visitors in the first three quarters of 2023, marking a notable 15 percent increase from the previous year, according to CzechTourism. Domestic tourists constituted 10.2 million, growing by 4 percent, while foreign visitors surged by 35 percent to reach 7.2 million.

Prague remained the most popular destination, witnessing a 28 percent increase in tourists, totaling 5.4 million. Germany led international arrivals with 1.8 million visitors, followed by Slovak and Polish tourists. The robust tourism figures indicate a strong recovery for the sector, emphasizing the Czech Republic's enduring allure.

Over 300 spirited individuals joined Cheb's 12th annual New Year's Eve run to the Maria Loreto pilgrimage site, breaking previous participation records. Despite occasional sun peeking through slightly above freezing temperatures, winter conditions dominated the 7.6 km route to Starý Hrozňatov.

The event, evolving from a small gathering to a larger community event, saw hundreds of pre-registered participants. As an annual tradition, the run offers a festive way to bid farewell to the year, with many participants returning regularly to partake in the spirited journey.