Czech news in brief for September 12: Thursday's top headlines

On Thursday morning, the peaks of Šumava mountains in Czech Republic were covered with the first snow of the year, with about an inch falling on Blatné vrch, Boubín, Pleché, and Velké Javor. However, the snow did not last long due to temperatures above zero and rain. According to meteorologists, the first snow was recorded at 8 a.m. and was 1 centimeter thick. Snow is expected to continue in the mountains in the following days, with temperatures ranging from 3 to 6 degrees Celsius.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit the Czech Republic next week and meet with Czech President Petr Pavel at Prague Castle on Thursday. He will also meet Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and a large business delegation on Friday. A press conference is planned after the meeting with President Pavel. Talks will also be held with Czech ministers regarding nuclear energy, economic cooperation, trade, and foreign security. The Czech government recently chose Korean company KHNP to build two new nuclear reactors at Dukovany (Vysočina).

A recent poll by STEM agency revealed that 55 percent of Czech citizens still support the country's decision to allow Ukrainian refugees to stay due to the ongoing war with Russia. Although their experiences with Ukrainians have not changed, the majority (73 percent) believe that the state should facilitate their integration into the labor market. However, most Czechs also think that the government should prevent new refugees from entering and actively reduce the number of Ukrainian refugees in the country.

A 29-year-old Czech man set two Polish police officers on fire at a gas station in the border village of Chalupki near Ostrava. The man, who was drunk and had methamphetamine in his possession, threatened to burn down the facility. The police, called by the station operator, arrived and the man doused them with petrol and ignited them. He was detained and is being investigated by the police. 

The Czech Republic faces potential severe flooding due to extreme rainfall from Thursday, with the worst expected in the Jeseníky region. Environment Minister Petr Hladík compared the forecast to major floods in 1997 and 2002, warning of flash floods and strong winds. Emergency services and local governments are preparing, with flood control measures and evacuation warnings in place. Meteorologists predict up to 300mm of rainfall in some areas.

Czech Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of continued Czech support during a visit to Kyiv. Vystrčil, attending the fourth Crimea Platform meeting, emphasized that lasting peace requires Ukraine's involvement in negotiations. He also warned that without strong backing for Ukraine, Russian aggression would threaten Europe. Vystrčil's visit included a tribute to victims of Soviet deportations, following a previous visit in November 2022.

Germany's planned introduction of controls at all land borders will not tighten existing checks at its borders with the Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Maximilian Kall. The controls, in place since October 2023, will remain based on current security needs. New checks will begin on September 16 at borders with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark, as part of measures against illegal migration.

Nearly 580,000 Škoda Fabia cars are on Czech roads, making it the second most popular model after the Škoda Octavia. Despite a 19 percent decline in sales this year, the Fabia remains a top seller, marking its 25th anniversary. Production costs have limited the current generation to a hatchback. Škoda has built 4.9 million Fabias, and production is expected to continue through the decade.

 The AutoMat association urged Prague officials to create a more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly environment during the planned reconstruction of a highway through the city. At an event near Sokolovská Street, they displayed a banner reading “The freeway does not belong in the city” and promoted a petition, which has gathered 750 signatures. AutoMat seeks to ensure the reconstruction includes better pedestrian access and reduced traffic emissions.