Safer, smarter, and better protected? Czech govt. passes a bundle of new bills

This week, Czechia has taken significant steps in various policy areas according to a new press release, including defense, education, border security, and social protection for children. Here is everything you need to know.

The government has approved a new defense strategy for the Czech Republic in light of the escalating security challenges in Europe amid Russian aggression. This comprehensive document outlines the country's defense policy, emphasizing the importance of developing the Czech army.

It also emphasizes the need for stronger cooperation among public administration bodies, society, and the defense and security industry in ensuring the country's defense capability.

The strategy emphasizes sufficient financial security as a necessary condition for defense capability and underlines the necessity to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense every year. Last week, the government confirmed that in 2024 defense expenditure would surpass 2 percent of GDP. It is set to total almost CZK 160 billion.

Parliamentary proposals to amend the Education Act have gained government support. These modifications aim to simplify and clarify the secondary school admissions process, particularly through the introduction of an electronic application system.

Starting next year, applicants will be able to submit up to three electronic applications (rather than the two physical-based ones), which will then be automatically evaluated according to their preferences. This streamlining process will ease uncertainty and reduce wait times for students and parents, while also providing schools with better enrollment insights.

"We all remember what students and parents went through during the high school admissions process this year, and we don't want to continue exposing them to similar uncertainty," remarked Fiala.

In response to rising illegal migration and the increased activity of organized smuggling groups, the government has temporarily reintroduced internal border protection measures between the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Primarily aimed at preventing illegal migration and tackling human trafficking, this preventive measure will last for ten days. Czech police officers have begun random checks at 27 former border crossings, including road, railway, and river crossings, in close collaboration with the Customs Administration.

"The numbers of illegal migrants heading to the EU are increasing, some routes through which people flow to Central Europe are reviving, people who are illegally in the territory of the EU, and it is necessary to take active and preventive steps, said Fiala Wednesday.

The cabinet has discussed amendments to the Act on Social and Legal Protection of Children, seeking to streamline and expedite adoption and foster care processes. The amendments clarify the rights and obligations of caregivers and registered foster parents, bringing uniformity to substitute family care provided by individuals related or close to the child.

The proposed changes aim to distinguish between mediated foster care and non-mediated substitute family care, along with increasing state subsidies for foster care provision. However, no date has been set on when concrete laws may be passed.

Czechia currently does not allow same-sex couples to adopt children, and the government has made no mention of this being on the agenda in 2024.

The government has also reviewed and approved the implementation plans for the Digital Czech Republic program for the upcoming year. The implementation plan comprises a collection of project ideas, intentions, and ongoing initiatives that are being prepared. With 63 projects, the government aims to advance digitalization efforts and modernize various sectors to enhance convenience, efficiency, and accessibility for citizens.

In April, the Interior Ministry prepared a bill on the digitization of the residence permits of foreigners, based on which they would communicate with the authorities online, fill in online forms, and be automatically informed about the stage of the proceedings.

These policy developments reflect the Czech government's proactive response to the evolving security landscape in Europe, as well as its commitment to improving education, child protection, border security, and digitalization.