Czech news in brief for January 7: Tuesday's top headlines

Almost one in two Czechs cannot name a classical music composer, while Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Bedřich Smetana are the most recognized, a survey from research agency STEM/MARK reveals. Classical music ranks third in popularity behind pop and rock, with composer Johann Sebastian Bach named the favorite by 26 percent of classical listeners. Bedřich Smetana, marking his 200th birth anniversary last year, was recalled by 54 percent of respondents, followed by Antonín Dvořák at 43 percent.

Czech tax revenue grew by 2.5 percent in 2024, totaling CZK 1.42 trillion, according to the Ministry of Finance. Personal income tax saw the largest increase, rising 11.8 percent, driven by wage growth and tax changes. Value-added tax collections rose  percent, while corporate income tax and windfall tax both declined. Windfall tax collections exceeded expectations for 2024, despite a 6.3 percent drop compared to 2023.

Corporate bankruptcies in the Czech Republic rose 5 percent in 2024, with 686 companies affected, according to CRIF-Czech Credit Bureau. Bankruptcy filings also increased by 3 percent, totaling 1,082. Prague led with 318 bankruptcies, followed by South Moravia and Moravia-Silesia. Despite higher bankruptcies, non-performing loans decreased, reflecting improved payment discipline among companies, CRIF analyst Věra Kameníčková reported. The highest number of bankruptcies per active company was last year in Central Bohemia.

Police have requested the Czech Chamber of Deputies to make Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) leader Tomio Okamura eligible for prosecution over alleged hate speech. The case involves a August 2024 SPD billboard campaign featuring a controversial poster deemed to incite hatred. The photograph of a dark-skinned man holding a bloody knife, along with the text: "The shortcomings in the healthcare system will not be solved by imported 'surgeons’.”

Whooping cough cases in the Czech Republic soared in 2024, with 37,375 infections—a 75-fold increase from 2023, according to the National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ). Twelve deaths were reported, including two newborns and eight seniors over 70. Health officials urged vaccination, highlighting risks for vulnerable groups during respiratory infection season. Chronic illness and age-related frailty heighten susceptibility to severe complications, said the SZÚ.

Ryanair passengers bound for London Stansted endured nearly 30 hours of delays at Prague Airport due to bad weather and technical issues. Stranded since Sunday, travelers reported minimal communication, no provided accommodation, and ongoing rescheduling. Police were called to the gate as tensions rose. Ryanair cited a minor aircraft fault and promised reimbursement for self-arranged lodging. The flight is now expected to depart after further delays.

Prague opposition leader Karel Havlíček assured Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych that ANO backs Ukraine, emphasizing support for Kyiv and condemning Russian aggression. They discussed bilateral trade, which reached USD 3 billion last year, and Ukraine's reconstruction. Havlíček, a potential prime ministerial candidate, also stressed the importance of launching peace talks, potentially in Slovakia. Zvarych highlighted shared interests and growing relations between the Czech Republic and Ukraine as vital for Europe.

Proposed curriculum changes in Czech schools will prioritize foreign language instruction, including early English education, over mathematics. Critics warn of increased teacher shortages and potential declines in teaching quality. Linguists emphasize the need for specialized training for early-grade English teachers. Experts also highlight challenges in replacing Russian language classes with German, French, or Spanish due to limited qualified teachers.

The Czech Republic fulfilled its NATO commitment by spending 2.09 percent of GDP on defense in 2024, according to the Ministry of Defense. Total spending reached CZK 166.8 billion, though unspent funds raised transparency concerns. Former Defense Minister Lubomír Metnar criticized significant December expenditures, urging clarity on spending details. Major purchases included tanks, transport aircraft, and vehicles. NATO will finalize its review of Czech defense spending by mid-2025.

The State Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) warns that the Czech Republic may be at the start of a flu epidemic, with flu now the leading cause of respiratory illnesses. During the holidays, flu cases dropped to 831 per 100,000 people due to reduced doctor visits. Experts urge caution, recommending vaccination and respiratory hygiene. Telemedicine consultations surged 40 percent compared to last year during the holiday season.

Trutnov faces overpopulation of pigeons, leading to property damage and high cleanup costs. The city spends up to 100,000 CZK annually trapping and destroying pigeons, but volunteer Eliška Trunečková proposes regulating their numbers humanely. She rescues injured birds and replaces their eggs with artificial ones. While her city dovecote proposal was rejected, officials plan to explore the idea further and engage with Trunečková to develop cost-effective, sustainable solutions.