Czech news in brief for March 23: Sunday's top headlines

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan supports Czech participation in a potential international peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, backing President Petr Pavel’s call for Czech involvement after a peace deal. Rakušan said Czechia has a responsibility to help secure lasting peace. Opposition leader Andrej Babiš opposes Czech involvement, arguing troops are needed at home.

Opposition party ANO plans to cut corporate taxes from 21 percent to 19 percent and restore family tax breaks if it wins fall elections, deputy chair Alena Schillerová said. ANO wants to reinstate the school fee deduction and loosen limits on the spousal tax credit, which critics say discourage work. Economists warn the changes would mainly benefit higher earners and reduce labor market participation.

Czechia ranks sixth globally for sextortion attacks after a 223 percent rise this year, cybersecurity firm Gen reports. Criminals use AI and stolen data to create convincing blackmail emails, often citing victims’ leaked passwords. Tactics include fake images and Google Maps screenshots. Experts advise not paying and using password managers and multi-factor authentication. Gen owns Avast, AVG, Norton, and CCleaner brands.

Czechia's Mountain Rescue Service recorded 6,946 calls this winter season, up 58 percent year-on-year, due to better snow conditions and higher visitor numbers. Most rescues happened in the Krkonoše Mountains, followed by Jeseníky and Jizerské hory. Injuries on ski slopes remain the most common. Recent accidents include two minors seriously injured in Špindlerův Mlýn and a fatal crash into a power pole by a skier.

Czech troops should join a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine after a future peace deal, President Petr Pavel told European Pravda Friday. Pavel said Czechia is part of a coalition of willing countries discussing security guarantees for Ukraine. He stressed Czech participation if a joint force is formed, calling it a step in the country’s own interest. Russia opposes NATO troops in Ukraine.

Hundreds gathered in Prague on Saturday to protest the rise of far-right politics and racism, organizers said. The rally, led by Together Against Racism and Fascism, featured speeches, banners, and a march through the city center. Protesters criticized Czech and European leaders, expressed solidarity with Gaza, and opposed parties like SPD and Germany’s AfD. Police monitored the event, which ended peacefully.

The Czech National Bank is expected to hold its key interest rate at 3.75% at Wednesday’s meeting, analysts told Czech News Agency. Despite economic weakness and a strong crown supporting looser policy, persistent inflation in services and global uncertainty are pushing the board toward caution. Most experts predict the CNB will wait until later this year to resume rate cuts, depending on inflation and wage growth trends.

Czech footballers kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over the Faroe Islands. Patrik Schick scored twice, once in the 25th minute and again in the 85th minute. The win marks the Czech team's tenth consecutive victory over the Faroe Islands. They will next face Gibraltar on March 25. The team is vying for direct qualification and a potential playoff spot.

A fire destroyed a production hall at the Javořice sawmill in Ptenský Dvorek near Prostějov on Saturday, causing damage worth tens of millions of crowns. No injuries were reported. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours as the hall, housing timber sorting technology, was fully engulfed. The cause is under investigation. Main production at one of Czechia’s largest sawmills was not affected, the company said.

The Social Democrats party unveiled plans to give pensioners an extra CZK 10,000 annually and raise the minimum wage to CZK 31,000 by 2028. The party also promises a 13th pension payment before Christmas, tax cuts on labor, and support for families and housing. Chair Jana Maláčová criticized the government’s defense spending plans and pledged to roll back the retirement age to 65 if elected.

Recent departures from the Czech Pirate Party stem from disagreement with new chair Zdeněk Hřib’s direction, analysts tell Czech News Agency. They note internal splits between pragmatists and radicals, with some members opposing the party’s centrist shift. Political scientists urged the Pirates to refocus on progressive voters and emerging topics like artificial intelligence to regain support lost to rivals such as STAN.