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Summary for: Czech news in brief for April 11: Saturday's top afternoon headlines
Babiš backs Orbán ahead of Hungary vote
Babiš backs Orbán ahead of Hungary vote
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has expressed support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections, praising his leadership and emphasis on sovereignty and stability. Orbán, who has led Hungary for 16 years, faces opposition leader Péter Magyar amid expectations of a tight race. Former PM Petr Fiala, however, said Orbán is likely to lose, marking what he described as a shift against populism in Central Europe.
German extremist held in Czech extradition case
A German right-wing transgender extremist, Marla-Svenja Liebich, has been remanded in custody by a court in Pilsen after being detained by Czech police near Cheb on an international warrant. The suspect, who was previously sentenced in Germany for incitement to hatred and defamation, opposes extradition. Czech authorities will now decide on the case, which may take weeks. The arrest has drawn attention in Germany due to ongoing debate over gender self-identification laws.
Saharan dust to reach Czech skies overnight
Saharan dust will enter Czech airspace overnight into Sunday and remain in the atmosphere until early next week, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said. The particles will stay at high altitude, so air quality is not expected to worsen significantly. Meteorologists say the dust may slightly reduce sky clarity and can occasionally mix with precipitation, leaving visible residue. Similar events occur periodically and may also slightly affect solar radiation levels.
Pro-life march and protests fill Prague's center
Thousands of people joined the annual March for Life in Prague on Saturday, moving from Prague Castle towards Wenceslas Square in multiple smaller groups. Police deployed hundreds of officers as counter-protests also took place in the city center, including feminist rallies at Náměstí Republiky and Malostranské Square. Organizers split the march into dozens of routes due to past clashes, with traffic restrictions expected across central Prague.
Czech, Slovak PMs back D49 motorway project
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have agreed that completion of the D49 motorway is a priority in a new bilateral memorandum on transport cooperation. The planned route linking Zlín in Czechia with Púchov in Slovakia is listed among key infrastructure projects. Construction continues in phases, with further sections expected after 2028. The agreement also outlines broader cooperation on rail and cross-border connectivity projects.
Poll results: Following Culture Minister Oto Klempír’s proposal to scrap public TV and radio license fees and shift funding to the state budget, we asked readers whether they support the change. A majority, 56 percent, opposed the move, saying public broadcasters should not be funded directly from the state budget. Thirty-six percent supported abolishing the fees.
