Czech news in brief for November 21: Thursday's top headlines

Meteorologist Jáchym Brzezina from the Brno branch of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute announced that the Czech Republic’s average annual temperature is expected to surpass 10 degrees Celsius for the first time in recorded history. With November and December likely to remain above average, the temperature could reach 10.3 degrees Celsius, 0.6 degrees Celsius higher than last year. This year has been exceptionally warm, with every month so far above the 1991-2020 average, and Central Europe warming at twice the global rate.

Prague 6 Mayor Jakub Stárek announced that construction of a new pavilion for Bílá Elementary School on Na Kocínce Street will begin, offering eight classrooms for 240 students. The building will feature a canteen, a multi-purpose hall, and an outdoor amphitheater, along with a garden that includes play areas, herb beds, and fruit trees. Designed with low energy consumption, the school will utilize heat pumps and rainwater. Completion is expected in 2026, with an estimated cost of CZK 170 million.

Czech President Petr Pavel stated that he and Prime Minister Petr Fiala met European Council President-elect António Cost at Prague Castle this afternoon to discuss cooperation with the U.S. and European unity. Pavel emphasized the importance of collaboration among democratic nations for security and stability. He also highlighted the challenges and priorities facing the Czech Republic. Costa was the Portuguese prime minister from 2015 to this April.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala reaffirmed today that achieving German-level wages in the Czech Republic is a realistic goal for the next government term, intended to encourage greater societal ambition. He criticized a tendency toward defeatism in Czech society, which he believes hinders progress. However, economists, including Trinity Bank’s Lukáš Kovanda, have noted the growing wage disparity, with the average German worker currently earning 2.3 times more in euros than their Czech counterpart.

In a hypothetical general election held this month, NMS Market Research's latest model shows the ANO party leading with 35.3 percent, followed by Mayors and Independents at 11.1 percent and the Civic Democratic Party at 10 percent. Freedom and Direct Democracy, the Czech Pirate Party, and the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) would also enter parliament, with KSČM surpassing the 5 percent threshold. The election turnout would be 56.7 percent if elections were held in November, similar to previous months. 

According to Jan Svoboda, VZP’s security director, thousands of fraudulent emails and SMS messages are targeting clients of the Czech General Health Insurance Company (VZP). These messages, timed around the holidays, falsely promise overpayment refunds and urge recipients to click links or provide internet banking details, enabling scammers to access their accounts. The emails appear highly credible, using accurate VZP contact details and fake case numbers. VZP emphasizes it never requests banking login information.

According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), winter weather is expected to hit the Czech Republic before the weekend. Snow showers or snowfall are forecast until Saturday, with temperatures possibly dropping below zero during the day. However, from Sunday, conditions will clear, and temperatures may rise to 10 degrees Celsius, with some areas reaching 12 degrees. The ČHMÚ predicts a rainy and drizzly Sunday, especially in the northern half of the territory.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala will deliver his traditional turn-of-the-year speech on Dec. 26, as he did last year, his spokesperson confirmed today. Fiala broke with tradition by moving his speech from Jan. 1, a date reserved for the president's address. Last year's speech focused on hope, but the opposition ANO movement criticized Fiala for being out of touch with the public. This year's speech is expected to address the upcoming parliamentary elections.

According to Defense Minister Jana Černochová, the Czech government has approved the purchase of 14 German Leopard 2A4 battle tanks for approximately CZK 3.98 billion. The contract is expected to be finalized this year, with delivery scheduled for 2026. The tanks will come with communication systems, workshop equipment, and initial ammunition stocks. The Czech army already has several Leopard 2A4s, received as a gift from Germany for its support of Ukraine.

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem Wednesday organized a discussion in Prague where two survivors of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Kibbutz Beeri in southern Israel shared their testimonies. Yair Rotem and Lior Alan described the attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage, and their efforts to rebuild the kibbutz. The event aimed to ensure the survivors' stories were not forgotten.

The Česká spořitelna bank has announced that higher real wages allow many Czechs to spend more on Christmas gifts without borrowing. However, Kamila Fialová from the Academy of Sciences highlighted a growing divide, with more people relying on savings or loans to cover basic needs like food and housing. Defaulted consumer loans rose by 15 percent over the past year, although banks and lenders report a declining trend in borrowing for holiday shopping.