Czech news in brief for November 15: Wednesday's top headlines

The High Court in Prague overturned the acquittal of former prime minister Andrej Babiš and his former advisor Jana Nagyová in the Stork's Nest (Čapí hnízdo) case due to insufficient and erroneous evidence. The city court will have to deal with the case again.

Babiš and Nagyová face charges in the Čapí hnízdo case for subsidy fraud. Both defendants have denied guilt and were initially acquitted in January. The Court of Appeal criticized the judge for not considering complete chains of evidence.

The retirement age in Czechia is set to gradually increase, and a minimum pension of 20 percent of the average wage will be implemented, according to the draft pension reform presented by Labour Minister Marian Jurečka.

The reform also includes measures to consider income for time spent caring for children and relatives, replacing the subsidy for raised children. The draft amendment will be sent to the legislative process and aims to ensure dignified and sustainable pensions for the future.

The Chamber of Deputies took note of the state's final account for 2022, which ended with a deficit of CZK 360.4 billion. The increase in the state debt by CZK 345 billion will largely cover this deficit. The Supreme Audit Office expressed concerns about the growing debt, high inflation, and high budget expenditures.

According to the Ministry of Finance's proposal, the deficit will be covered by an increase in the state debt and a decrease in state financial asset accounts. Last year's state budget result was CZK 14.6 billion better than predicted. The government attributed the increased deficit to the war conflict in Ukraine and high inflation.

Prague police are seeking a man for questioning in connection with threat letters sent to several politicians, including President Petr Pavel. An anonymous person mailed dozens of abusive and threatening letters to officials from South Bohemia, according to police.

One letter vulgarly insulted and threatened stabbing and gassing, while another mentioned standing against a wall and shooting. CCTV footage near a mailbox showed a person of interest. Anonymous threats targeting officials can result in up to three years in prison.

American rock band Queens of the Stone Age is the latest the join the lineup of the Colors of Ostrava festival, with a concert scheduled for July 17, 2024. The band is nominated for Grammy Awards and is known for subverting the boundaries of rock with their raw sound and evolving musical style.

The band is also known for performing at major international festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury. Other artists announced for the festival include Bat for Lashes, Sevdaliza, Tangerine Dream, Son Mieux, and Klangphonics.

The European Commission (EC) has revised its outlook for the Czech economy, predicting a decline of 0.4 percent this year, compared to its previous forecast of 0.2 percent growth. However, the EC expects the economy to return to gradual growth next year, with gross domestic product (GDP) projected to increase by 1.4 percent.

Inflation is forecasted to continue falling in the Czech Republic, with estimates of 12.2 percent this year, 3.2 percent next year, and 2.4 percent the following year. The Czech National Bank also expects a similar decline in the economy this year.

A 36-year-old Czech disinformation figure was arrested in Poland and will be handed over to the Czech Republic soon, Czech police announced on the X social network. The man, suspected to be Tomáš Čermák, was hiding in Lublin Voivodeship in eastern Poland, Polish police said.

His jail sentence of 5.5 years earlier this year made Čermak the first person in Czechia sanctioned for inciting violence against politicians during the pandemic and hate speech against Ukrainians on social networks, according to Czech Radio.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the European Commission that Germany will prolong controls on its borders with the Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland for another 20 days, until December 4th. Germany has also maintained checks with Austria since 2015 to curb unlawful migration amid an influx of asylum seekers. Faeser said precautions aim to minimize disruptions to daily commutes, trade, and travel.

With the migration situation remaining difficult, Germany first extended checks for 10 days in late October and will reassess whether further extensions are needed based on border security improvements. Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed with state premiers early this month to keep verifying travelers at select checkpoints due to ineffective safeguards of the EU's external frontier. More than 250,000 people sought refuge in Germany as of September, topping last year's total.

Due to a new law, consumer groups expect retailers to offer lower discounts for Black Friday this year. Shops must now calculate percentage discounts based on products' lowest prices in the last 30 days. Analysts say this could mean smaller savings versus previous years. Nonetheless, many stores are running early "Black Friday" promotions before Nov. 24.

Cosmetics and perfumes are expected to be most popular on Notino, which extends its sales over two weeks. With prices and availability subject to change, customers are advised to comparison shop. But check price histories too to confirm that any advertised deal is the best. According to Hlídač shopů, a watchdog organization, last year the real average discount on Black Friday ranged between 15 and 30 percent.

Czech President Petr Pavel named 52 judges to municipal courts and selected Jiří Grygar to serve as chairman of the Regional Court in Prague starting next year. At a ceremony Tuesday, Pavel urged the new judiciary members to conduct fair and comprehensible trials. "Law can be complex even for lawyers. Not all standing before the court understands what's happening. Keep this in mind and explain verdicts clearly," he said.

In September, judicial representatives objected that new judgeships had gone unfilled too long. Pavel's appointments today address this issue, with the last confirmations by his predecessor Miloš Zeman occurring in December. The Ministry of Justice defended any delay, pledging judges would be installed by year's end.

The American Center at Brno's Moravian Library reopened today following reconstruction, as U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet looked on. He said the revamped facility provides an opportunity to explore U.S. culture and education/work prospects stateside. Previously called Info USA, the Center now partners with the U.S. Embassy in Prague and houses some 2,000 books.

Operating at the library since 2005, it also screens films and hosts discussions. Decor incorporates the red, white, and blue of both the Czech Republic and America. The Moravian Library additionally holds English, Spanish, Austrian, and German centers. The refurbishment allows the exchange of ideas between the two nations to continue at this soft diplomacy outpost.

A training and research facility for simulated space exploration opened Tuesday on the Czech Technical University (ČVUT) campus. The Little Moon City Prague project provides an environment for scientific, academic, and commercial experiments under orbital conditions. Representatives from ČVUT and sponsor Hydronaut unveiled the center alongside honored guest Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli. Little Moon City consists of the Deep Lab H03 habitat, capable of shuttle simulations.

In addition to simulating spaceflights, complex rescues can be practiced. Experts from universities and Hydronaut will collaborate at this unique test center to train the next generation for careers in space exploration. Nespoli praised the realistic setup; experts are keen to get started on reduced-gravity testing to push the boundaries of discovery.