Czech news in brief for March 28: Friday's top headlines

Despite recent solar power growth, the Czech Republic remains among the EU’s worst performers in renewable electricity production, generating only 13 percent of its power from green sources, an analysis by Europe in Data found. Lengthy permitting and public opposition have slowed wind energy expansion. With coal plant closures looming and no immediate replacement, the country faces a major energy challenge. The government plans to rely on nuclear and gas, but rising import dependence raises concerns about future stability.

Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Válek appointed Petr Poloucek to lead Prague’s Motol University Hospital starting in April, following corruption charges against former director Miloslav Ludvík. Poloucek, also director of Homolka Hospital, is tasked with overseeing Motol’s operations and ensuring the timely completion of its CZK 4.5 billion Oncology Center, which risks losing CZK 3.7 billion in EU funding. Válek said the hospitals already cooperate in key areas, though a potential merger is not currently under discussion.

Former Czech MP Dominik Feri has filed a constitutional complaint challenging the Supreme Court’s rejection of his appeal in a rape case, a court spokeswoman confirmed today. Feri, serving a three-year sentence at the moment, denies guilt and claims trial violations. The Supreme Court upheld his conviction last December, citing only a minor inaccuracy in assessing one incident. In March and November 2016, the then young Teplice councillor, law student and popular influencer, kissed and groped two girls despite their disapproval.

The ANO movement would win February’s parliamentary elections with 33.5 percent support, followed by the Spolu coalition at 18.5 percent and STAN at 10 percent, according to a Median poll. Seven parties would enter the Chamber of Deputies, including the Pirates at 6 percent. A possible ANO-Spolu coalition would secure a majority. The poll, conducted in February, assumes 60.5 percent voter turnout.

The Olomouc Region Security Council will decide Friday whether to declare a state of danger following a toxic benzene spill in Hustopeče nad Bečvou, Governor Ladislav Okleštěk said. Environment Minister Petr Hladík urged swift action, warning of worsening contamination. If the region delays, Hladík may request a state of emergency. The spill, from a February train derailment, has severely impacted groundwater and will take years to remediate.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will visit Czechia on June 4-5 at the invitation of President Petr Pavel, the Presidential Office announced Wednesday. Details of their program will be released later. The Netherlands is a key trade partner for Czechia, with Czech exports reaching 199 billion crowns in 2023. The visit continues long-standing diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Colt CZ Group SE posted record revenues of CZK 22.38 billion in 2024, up 50.6 percent year-on-year, driven by higher firearms sales and the Sellier & Bellot acquisition. Adjusted net profit fell 5.7 percent to CZK 1.93 billion due to financing costs. The board proposes a CZK 15 dividend per share. The company expects further growth in 2025, focusing on military contracts and global expansion.

The Prague-based Film Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) condemned Monday’s assault on Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal by radical Jewish settlers and his subsequent detention by the Israeli army in the occupied West Bank. Ballal, an Oscar-winning director, was beaten while filming outside his home. FAMU denounced attacks on filmmakers documenting human rights violations, calling them a threat to free speech and artistic expression.