Czech news in brief for March 7: Thursday's top headlines

A ground staff strike in Germany today by employees of the Lufthansa airline, which has caused hundreds of canceled flights and affected up to 200,000 passengers, has also disrupted connections with the Czech Republic. The protest, starting today and ending Saturday morning, was due to demands for higher wages and better working conditions, causing losses of EUR 100 million (about CZK 2.5 billion) for Lufthansa. Today, the airline canceled a total of 17 flights between Václav Havel Airport Prague and Frankfurt am Main and Munich.

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake occurred in Písek (South Bohemia), as recorded by seismographs. The Institute of Geophysics of the Academy of Sciences reported that it was a moderate earthquake by Czech standards. The outbreak, located near the town of Mirotice, was felt within a few kilometers. Mayor of Mirotice Martina Mikšíčková confirmed that there was no damage in the village. The Institute of Geophysics of the Academy of Sciences stated that the depth of the epicenter, 18 kilometers underground, minimized its impact on the surface.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico responded to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala's cancellation of Czech-Slovak consultations, stating that he will not let politics damage the strong relationship between the two countries. Fiala cited differing opinions on foreign policy, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Fico called for cooperation and unity between the two nations, criticizing Fiala for prioritizing unrelated goals. Fico also expressed support for Slovakia's independent foreign policy.

Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný acknowledged the gravity of the bleak farming situation in Czechia following a protest by farmers in Prague today. The farmers blocked tram tracks and roads to draw attention to their demands for government support. Výborný expressed regret at the Agrarian Chamber and Agricultural Association's claims of unmet expectations, citing budget limitations. The Agrarian Chamber apologized for the public inconvenience caused by the protest on Facebook, blaming the government for neglecting small farmers. 

Slovak PM Robert Fico accused the Czech government of jeopardizing relations with Slovakia to support the war in Ukraine, while Slovakia advocates for peace. In a statement, Fico emphasized the strength of Slovak-Czech ties and expresses openness to Czech officials. The divergence in foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine, has strained relations. The Slovak opposition condemns Fico's actions, labeling it a damaging moment in the nations' history.

Farmers in tractors and vehicles staged a major protest in Prague, spreading manure and disrupting traffic near the Government Office. Demonstrators unloaded hay bales, honked loudly, and displayed banners like "Let's save Czech soil" and "Stop the destruction of Czech agriculture." The protest, supported by agricultural organizations, demands government backing for rural employment, animal welfare support, and a reversal of land taxation changes. Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný is willing to negotiate but rejects decisions under ultimatums.

The Czech cabinet approved a lobbying bill to establish transparent rules, aiming to mitigate corruption, conflicts of interest, and clientelism. The legislation mandates a register of lobbyists and those influenced, with lobbyists obligated to report activities to the Justice Ministry. The bill, delayed in January and February, targets implementation in H2 2025. The law, applying to a wide range of influencers, includes penalties tied to corporate turnover. The bill's approval is a prerequisite for National Recovery Plan funds.

The average Czech mortgage rate in March increased slightly to 5.62 percent, up from February's 5.6 percent, according to Swiss Life Hypoindex data. Although still near the lowest since June 2022, mortgage analysts note dynamic trends, with significant differences between short-term and long-term fixation rates. Regulatory changes have led some banks to cease offering mortgages with fixations exceeding five years. A potential 0.75 percentage point drop in the two-week repo rate is predicted, encouraging mortgage discounts, potentially reducing rates to 4 percent by year-end and fostering real estate market activity.

Czech documentary filmmaker Helena Třeštíková, 74, was honored with the French Order of Arts and Letters in Prague. The award, presented by the new French ambassador, Stephane Crouzat, recognizes Třeštíková's contributions to promoting art and literature globally. Inspired by Paris in 1969, she committed to filmmaking after encountering French culture. Třeštíková, a FAMU professor, specializes in time-lapse documentaries and has received accolades at festivals, including Karlovy Vary and Cannes. She joins esteemed Czech artists as a recipient of the Order of Literature and Art.