LAW Unions urge Pavel to veto pay-rise change
The Czech Judges' Union has urged President Petr Pavel to veto a government amendment raising salaries for top officials and judges, citing a conflict with a Constitutional Court ruling. The Senate allowed the amendment to proceed, and Pavel will review it after his return from a private trip. Critics argue the law unlawfully reduces judicial pay retroactively, which may be unconstitutional.
Transport Prague to create new bus lanes
Prague's public transport authority, Ropid, is expanding bus lanes to ease congestion and improve travel efficiency. Changes include new dedicated lanes on Troja Bridge and Modřanská Street, as well as revised intersections in Prague 8. Last year, nearly two kilometers of bus lanes were added, bringing the total to 74 kilometers. The modifications aim to prioritize public transport and enhance traffic flow, officials said Thursday.
sport Hockey legend sells majority stake in Kladno club
Czech hockey legend Jaromír Jágr has sold 80 percent of Kladno’s hockey club to businessman Tomáš Drastil, the team announced Wednesday. Jágr, 52, who still plays for Kladno, will retain a 20 percent stake. He has owned the club since 2011, fully taking control in 2017. Jágr said the sale marks a "new era" for Kladno, hoping Drastil’s leadership will help restore the team’s top-tier status. Drastil, 44, also owns a stake in a second-league football club in Jihlava.
economy Finance Ministry expects 2.3pc growth in 2025
The Czech economy is projected to grow 2.3 percent in 2024, up from 1.1 percent last year but slightly below the previous 2.5 percent forecast, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday. Inflation is expected to remain at 2.3 percent. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura warned that potential U.S. tariffs and weak German growth could slow expansion. Germany’s downgraded economic outlook poses an additional risk to Czech economic performance.
crime Czech police bust Czech-Ukrainian fraud bankers
Hradec Králové police announced Wednesday that a Czech-Ukrainian gang posing as bankers stole over CZK 100 million in phone scams, expanding the case to 500 fraud incidents. The group, dismantled in April 2023, operated from Odessa, Ukraine, tricking victims into transferring funds. Authorities have charged 24 individuals, with seven Czechs deported and 17 Ukrainians arrested in a joint police operation.
Legislation Senate delays digitalization deadline to 2027
The Czech Senate approved postponing the state’s digitalization deadline to 2027, despite prior opposition from its Constitutional and Legal Committee. The Pirates criticized the delay, warning of potential lawsuits if President Petr Pavel does not sign the measure by Feb. 1. The Senate also rejected restrictions on municipal building regulations and debated solar power plant inspections. The Chamber of Deputies must now review the amendment.
Crime Sex offenders in Czechia face lifetime record
Czech lawmakers agreed that convicted sex offenders should have a lifetime record preventing them from working with children, Justice Minister Pavel Blažek (ODS) announced. Less serious offenders would face a 15-year restriction. The move comes after criticism of an earlier proposal that allowed some offenders to reapply for such jobs after five years. The measure will be included in upcoming amendments to criminal law regulations.
Migration Illegal migration to Czechia falls in 2024
The Czech Republic saw a sharp decline in illegal migration last year, with police identifying 9,461 unauthorized residents, down 4,437 from 2023. Transit migration fell by 91 percent, prompting the government to forgo border controls with Slovakia. Ukrainians, Moldovans, and Vietnamese made up most detected migrants. Police also reported increased use of air travel for illegal entry and opened 93 cases of document forgery.
Study Apprentices face less long-term unemployment
Apprentices with a high school diploma are less likely to face long-term unemployment than general high school graduates, a Labor Office study found. Gymnasium graduates who don’t pursue higher education are at higher risk. The study, analyzing 2023 graduates, highlights the benefits of vocational training. Officials urge students to pursue higher education, noting that job openings increasingly require specialized skills.
Society Three-quarters of Czechs satisfied with life
Three-quarters of Czechs are satisfied with their lives, a CVVM survey found, marking a slight year-on-year increase. The poll, conducted last autumn, shows 17 percent are very satisfied, while 8 percent are dissatisfied. Younger, higher-income, and educated individuals report greater satisfaction. Supporters of ruling parties tend to be happier than opposition voters. Regional and municipal differences also influence overall life satisfaction.
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