Czech news in brief for March 27: Wednesday's top headlines

Representatives of the pro-teacher Hour of Truth initiative announced today that Czech public universities, especially humanities departments, face severe underfunding, prompting considerations of strikes and prolonged protests. Last year, the initiative organized protests and strikes in collaboration with university workers' unions. Unions demand an additional CZK 10 billion for higher education in 2025. In 2023, the gross monthly wage of the academic staff at public universities was an average of CZK 65,000 a month, while professors received CZK 102,069.

The Ministry of Health announced this afternoon that over 21,000 adults received whooping cough vaccinations in the Czech Republic this year alone, contrasting with 24,000 for the entirety of last year. Due to high demand, new vaccine deliveries are delayed until mid-April, with 10,000 doses available this week. Spokesperson Ondřej Jakob stated that adult interest in vaccination against the bacterial disease quadrupled compared to last year. The ministry reported over 4,200 whooping cough cases this year so far, with two deaths confirmed.

The SYRI National Institute for Research on Socioeconomic Impacts of Diseases and Systemic Risks has revealed that one-quarter of all Czechs with secondary and university education suffer from workaholism. Unhealthy work environments and personal factors like perfectionism contribute significantly to this issue. Kateřina Zábrodská from SYRI emphasized that demanding workplaces fostering competition exacerbate workaholism. Additionally, individuals with emotional instability are prone to this addiction. Czechia has median levels of workaholism relative to 80 other global countries in a study.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced that the Czech government has sanctioned pro-Kremlin Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk and Artem Marchevsky, along with the Prague-based company Voice of Europe, for their involvement in a pro-Russian network attempting to influence Czechia and the EU. Fiala stated that Medvedchuk, linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, orchestrated influence campaigns, while Marchevsky played a role in this network. Fiala said the sanctions reflect Czechia’s ongoing efforts to stop Russia from swaying European democratic processes.

The Czech government will address an amendment to the Higher Education Act to improve conditions for doctoral students today. Proposed changes allow universities to choose stipends, wages, or a mix for students earning at least 1.2 times the minimum monthly salary. Stricter selection criteria aim to enhance study quality. Universities may opt to charge for foreign language doctoral programs to attract more international students. The amendment also simplifies final exams and reduces administrative burdens.

The director of Prague’s Archbishop’s High School canceled a lecture by trans activist Lenka Králové due to parental complaints and the topic’s complexity per students. Students for the Agora lecture series invited Králové. Director Ondřej Mrzílek cited concerns from parents and the archdiocese, preferring a format allowing diverse views. Jan Balík, vicar general of the Prague archdiocese, supported the decision, emphasizing the need for varied perspectives on sensitive issues like gender identity.

Due to high demand, Prague health officials announce delays in revaccination orders for adults against whooping cough until mid-April. Ministry of Health spokesperson Ondřej Jakob reveals negotiations with Canada for additional vaccine supply amid rising cases. Over 30,000 vaccines have been distributed in the past two weeks, with 4,200 whooping cough cases reported this year. Children’s vaccination program remains unaffected.

Apartment prices in the Czech Republic rebounded in Q4 last year, rising 6.9 percent quarter-on-quarter to an average of CZK 95,000 per square meter. Deloitte’s Real Index data reveals increases in the Hradec Králové and Pilsen regions while decreases were noted in five areas, particularly in the Liberecký region. Factors include fading inflation, energy prices, and high demand. Prague remains the priciest. Deloitte has tracked prices since 2015, analyzing sales data.

Prague’s Komerční banka accepted the city’s CZK 3.65 billion bid for the building on Wenceslas Square. Exclusive negotiations will proceed. Councilor Zdeněk Kovařík sees the purchase as a strategic solution for the expiring lease, potentially becoming the municipality’s permanent headquarters. Komerční Banka confirmed Prague’s offer on its website.