Czech news in brief for March 18: Monday's top headlines

According to Czech Presidential Office spokeswoman Eva Hromádková, President Petr Pavel has this week officially allowed 20 Czechs to join the Ukrainian armed forces, but rejected 56 requests based on opinions from the Interior Ministry. Former President Miloš Zeman had granted permission to most of the 150 Czechs who wanted to join the Ukrainian army, but the current president must also give consent. Czech citizens must obtain permission before serving in foreign armed forces, or they risk criminal prosecution.

According to Eurostat, the inflation rate in the EU slowed to 2.8 percent in February, from 3.1 percent in January. Inflation in the Czech Republic was below the EU average of 2.2 percent. However, this data differs from the Czech Statistical Office's calculations, which puts the country’s inflation rate at 2 percent. Neighboring countries Austria, Slovakia, and Poland had higher rates as per Eurostat: at 4.2, 3.8, and 3.7 percent respectively.

Former Czech President Miloš Zeman will stay in intensive care at a Prague hospital after being hospitalized last week for a blood clot in his leg, according to his spokesperson. His condition is said to be still serious, although his life is not threatened. At the beginning of his first presidential term in 2013, doctors announced that Zeman was suffering from neuropathy that caused him to lose feeling in his legs, which is a neurological complication of diabetes.

According to the National Institute of Public Health, a person aged 55-64 has died from whooping cough in Czechia this year. This is the first person in Czechia to die from the bacterial disease in 2024. A total of 3,101 cases have been recorded so far nationwide – the highest case count so far in a calendar year in about 60 years. The Ministry of Health reassures citizens that Czechia has enough vaccinations for whooping cough to go round.

Analysts anticipate another reduction in the base interest rate from the Czech National Bank (CNB), with most predicting a half-percentage-point cut from the current 6.25 percent. Despite inflation nearing the CNB's target of two percent, concerns over the weakened crown and ongoing inflationary pressures in services prompt caution. While some suggest a more aggressive rate cut, others advocate for a gradual approach, mindful of potential economic risks and the impact on savings and mortgage rates. CNB officials will announce their decision on Wednesday.

An extraordinary parliamentary session next week will address security threats, sparked by concerns over actions and remarks made by ANO opposition leader Andrej Babiš. Prompted by Babiš's leaked email seeking intel on Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, the Czech government has called for the discussion. Prime Minister Petr Fiala highlighted Babiš's comments on foreign policy and security as worrisome, particularly amid the Ukraine crisis.

Farmers with manure-laden flatbed trucks drove to Czech Television's Prague studio on Sunday during Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný's TV debate. Výborný highlighted plans to boost animal welfare funds and rural employment support. Farmers plan to join European protests on Wednesday by driving tractors in cities across the Czech Republic. The protests aim to spotlight longstanding agricultural issues, coinciding with the March 21 European Council meeting.

Czechs will receive fewer euros and dollars for their money compared to last year ahead of the summer holidays, due to a weakened Czech crown against major world currencies. The crown has depreciated by seven percent against the euro and by ten percent against the dollar since last summer, making vacations in eurozone countries more expensive. However, the crown has strengthened against the Egyptian pound and Turkish lira, providing some relief for travelers to those destinations.

Czech musician Aneta Langerová will celebrate 20 years in music with a double-album compilation and concert tour. Starting March 18 in Brno, the tour promises cherished hits alongside a new gospel track. Langerová, known for her debut Spousta andělů, extends gratitude to collaborators and fans for their support. The compilation, spanning her illustrious career, reflects her musical journey and highlights her impact on the Czech music scene.

Archaeologists in Brno are delving into the mysteries of ninth-century Great Moravian jewelry using cutting-edge technology. With the aid of electron microscopes, experts are meticulously examining 800 pieces of jewelry found in Mikulčice and Staré Město. The project, expected to last until 2027, aims to unveil insights into production techniques and material compositions. Financed by the Ministry of Culture, the endeavor represents a significant investment in preserving and understanding Czech cultural heritage.