Czech news in brief for July 26: Friday's top headlines

According to a survey by the Center for Public Opinion Research, over half of people in Czechia are satisfied with the functioning of democracy in the country, believing it to be the preferred style of government. The survey also reveals that the number of people supporting a return to a communist regime remains unchanged. While there has been an improvement in Czechs' perception of democracy since 2021, the overall satisfaction level is lower than it was four years ago. 

A report by the World Health Organization states that Europeans consume the highest amount of alcohol in the world, with 2,200 people dying every day in the region due to alcohol-related causes. The Czech Republic is the third European country with the highest alcohol consumption per person, behind Georgia and Romania. Men in the European region drink almost four times more than women, leading to problems such as domestic violence and family conflicts. Annual consumption averages 10 liters of ethanol per capita in Czechia.

The Czech Republic is preparing for extreme heat this Saturday, with temperatures expected to reach up to 35 degrees Celsius in South Moravia. Prague will see maximum temperatures of around 32 degrees. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a warning for most of the country, with a higher level of danger in some areas. The heat can cause problems in railway transport and is a risk for the human body, so people are advised to stay hydrated and limit physical activity. Although there will be temporary relief on Sunday, temperatures will rise again next week.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala reiterated his disapproval of Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in the Paris Olympics during his visit to the French capital. He also refused to criticize the inclusion of Israeli athletes in the event. Fiala believes that the Olympics should promote peace and fair competition, something that Russia does not uphold. He commended the Czech Olympic Committee and National Sports Agency for sharing his stance. Fiala also expressed concern for Ukrainian athletes who have been affected by the ongoing conflict and will now have to compete against Russian aggressors at the Olympics. 

Czech police recorded 100 hate crimes in the first half of this year, up by 31 from last year, according to an Interior Ministry report on extremism. Police began prosecuting 72 individuals, with the most common crimes being violence against groups and individuals. Ukrainians were the primary targets, followed by Jews. The highest number of hate crimes occurred in Prague, with online anti-Semitic incidents on the rise.

Five European embassies in the Czech Republic (Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, and Spain) have supported Education Minister Mikulas Bek's proposal to keep a second foreign language compulsory in elementary schools. Bek's plan includes mandatory English from first grade and a second language (German, French, or Spanish) from sixth grade. The embassies emphasize this aligns with EU language policy and benefits the Czech Republic's export-oriented economy.

One-third of Czechs disconnect entirely from work while on holiday, avoiding emails and calls, while nearly 60 percent occasionally check work communications, according to a Platy.cz survey of 2,000 respondents. Most Czechs take a two-week vacation (36 percent), followed by one week (23 percent). Additionally, 47 percent take holidays yearly, and 92 percent use most of their vacation days annually.

The Czech Republic will experience tropical temperatures this weekend, soaring above 30 degrees Celsius on Saturday, especially in southern Moravia. Sunday will bring clouds and potentially strong storms. Temperatures will rise to 30 degrees on Friday, reaching 35 degrees on Saturday in southern Moravia. Sunday’s temperatures will vary, with the west at 20 degrees and the southeast over 30 degrees.

The Pop Messe festival kicked off at the Brno Velodrome with performances by Icelandic electronic music stars Gus Gus and British act Leftfield. Running until Sunday night, nearly 60 artists across various genres will perform. The festival, focusing on contemporary pop, electronica, rap, and the independent scene, features three music stages, with two more added on Friday and Saturday, alongside a Czech TV cinema and a conference program.