Czech morning news in brief: top headlines for May 5, 2021

Czech support for Euro adoption doubled over past year

New data from Eurobarometer shows that support for euro-adoption has doubled in the Czech Republic over the past year. According to statistics, forty percent of Czechs would like to join the European Monetary Union, the highest number in the past ten years. The survey, conducted in the Czech Republic by the Kantar CZ agency in February, was answered by 1,100 respondents. Since the summer of 2020, support for the euro has increased most significantly in the Czech Republic (40%, +19 percentage points). Euro adoption in the Czech Republic has no date; in December, the Czech National Bank and the Ministry of Finance recommended to the government not to set a date for joining the euro area.

Anniversary of the May Uprising to be commemorated in Prague today

The 76th anniversary of the 1945 Prague Uprising will be commemorated online and by individual representatives of the state or the capital. The traditional memorial meeting in front of the Czech Radio building will not take place due to anti-coronavirus measures, but politicians, soldiers and other public figures will honor the memory of the fallen separately. The Prague Uprising was preceded by a series of uprisings throughout the Protectorate. Some 3,000 Czechoslovaks lost their lives. The anniversary of the May 5 uprising is marked as a significant day in the Czech calendar. On Sunday, the Czech Republic, together with most European states, will commemorate as a national holiday the day when Nazi Germany signed the surrender on May 8, 1945.

Debate on Interior Minister's canceled trip to Russia suspended

A Tuesday debate on Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamáček's canceled visit to Moscow ended after 90 minutes of sharp verbal exchanges, chairman of the deputy group of Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL), Jan Bartosek, told reporters. It's not yet clear when the closed hearing will resume. "The urgent session was suspended because the closed hearing took place with fierce verbal attacks, crossing the bounds of any sensible discussion," Bartosek said. Yesterday a report surfaced that Hamáček (Social Democrats, CSSD) planned to go to Moscow on April 19 to swap information about Russian secret agents' involvement in a seven-year-old explosion in the Czech Republic's Vrbětice ammunition depot for Sputnik V anti-COVID vaccine supplies and Prague as the venue for the Russian-U.S. presidential summit. Hamáček has said he is ready to address the accusations with MPs and denied the allegations. A statement is expected to be given after a press conference this morning.

 Škoda reveals next generation of beloved Czech Fabia

Czech carmaker Škoda has revealed the next generation of the car most frequently spotted on the Czech roads: the Fabia. Prices on the Czech market will start at CZH 330,000, as Active basic equipment will not be available in the Czech Republic. In 22 years, Škoda has sold 4.5 million Fabia, one of the key models in its portfolio which continues in this fourth generation. The new Fabia is one of the largest in its class and was built for the first time on the modular platform MQB A0 of the Volkswagen Group. All three-cylinder and manual transmissions are being developed and manufactured for the Volkswagen Group in the Czech Republic, and Fabia production will remain in Mladá Boleslav. The doors bear the triangular shape of the Czech flag.

Czech Wimbledon champ retires at 35 to have a baby

Czech tennis player Barbora Strýcová winner of Wimbledon doubles has ended her professional career at the age of 35 years. Strýcová is expecting a baby and does not plan to return to tournaments after childbirth except for one farewell match for fans, she said this week. "I want to play one more match with the audience for myself. I am saying goodbye to my career and do not expect to return to it, but I would like to have a farewell match with fans," Strýcová said at a meeting with media representatives in the Czech Olympic Committee's seat. Strýcová highest WTA rankings was no. 16 in the world in singles in January 2017 and she was No. 1 in doubles in July 2019 after her Wimbledon victory. Strýcová, a triple Fed Cup winner, has gained two titles in WTA tournaments in singles and 31 in doubles.