Czech news in brief for December 26: Friday's top morning headlines

The U.S. peace plan is gaining momentum, officials told ČTK. Radek Vondracek, head of the lower house foreign affairs committee, called for negotiations that preserve Ukrainian statehood, while opposition MPs warned that Russia’s unwillingness to compromise and ongoing aggression remain major obstacles. Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators continue talks over territorial and security issues, including demilitarized zones.

The Czech Education Ministry plans to begin systematically monitoring student absences from January to better target support as truancy rises, officials said this week. Primary and secondary schools, as well as kindergartens with compulsory preschoolers, will report absence data from the first half of the 2025–26 school year. The move follows analyses showing sharp post-pandemic increases in missed classes, especially in the Ústí, Karlovy Vary, and Plzeň regions.

Czech experts predict the economy will continue growing in 2026, with GDP rising 2–2.5 percent and inflation easing toward the Czech National Bank’s 2 percent target, the Ministry of Finance said. Nominal wages are expected to outpace prices, boosting real household incomes. Unemployment may tick up slightly but remain among the EU’s lowest. Analysts cited stable interest rates, slowing food and fuel costs, and a stronger koruna supporting economic stability next year.

The European Union agreed to impose a flat customs fee on small parcels from outside the bloc starting July 1, 2026, to simplify customs procedures and curb the surge of cheap imports, EU officials said. A EUR 3 fee will apply to each shipment, mainly affecting Asian e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein. The temporary measure aims to level conditions for European sellers until permanent customs rules are adopted.

Nine of Prague’s city museums, the zoo, and cultural sites will offer discounted admission on New Year’s Day, officials said. The “New Year’s Gift for Praguers” initiative includes half-price entry to the Botanical Garden, single-fee admission at the Prague Zoo, and 1+1 free access to select exhibitions at Vyšehrad and the city gallery. Discounts are available at ticket offices during opening hours, making the holiday more accessible for families and residents. See the complete list of activities here.