Czech news in brief for December 13: Saturday's top afternoon headlines

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the European Commission must find alternatives to proposed loans to finance Ukraine, adding Czechia will not provide guarantees. He spoke ahead of an EU summit on Ukraine’s 2026–27 funding needs. The EC has proposed EU-backed loans or a reparations loan secured by frozen Russian assets. The EU has indefinitely frozen about EUR 210 billion (CZK 5.1 trillion) in Russian funds.

Czech studio Warhorse’s Kingdom Come: Deliverance II failed to win at The Game Awards in Los Angeles. The game was nominated for Game of the Year, Best Story, and Best RPG, but French title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive took all three categories and nine awards overall. Since its February release, Kingdom Come 2 has sold four million copies and recently launched its final expansion.

Motorists MP Filip Turek is recovering at home after hospital treatment and may soon request a meeting with President Petr Pavel, party leader Boris Šťastný said. The Motorists still expect Turek to become environment minister, despite criticism over past social media posts. Pavel has said he is willing to meet Turek but has expressed reservations about his nomination.

Europe is poorly prepared for major global challenges, including threats from Russia, Middle East instability, migration and shifting U.S. ties, outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala said. He argued Europe lags in competitiveness due to high energy costs, slow innovation and excess regulation. Fiala called for deeper EU cooperation on security and migration, while urging deregulation to boost economic growth.

Police are continuing to search for 12-year-old Marek Hejhal from Halenkovice, Zlín Region, who failed to reach school Thursday morning. Authorities deployed officers, firefighters, drones, and off-road vehicles, and have appealed to the public for tips. Marek was last seen wearing a blue jacket, black pants, a burgundy backpack, and a black cap. The search is conducted under “Person in danger” protocols.