Czech news in brief for December 11: Thursday's top afternoon headlines

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, followed by talks with Belgian PM Bart De Wever and European Council President António Costa. Von der Leyen praised his support for competitiveness and said they discussed Ukraine’s path to a “just and lasting peace.” Costa said their meeting focused on preparations for the December European Council. The visit marks Babiš’ first round of EU meetings since President Petr Pavel appointed him prime minister.

The incoming cabinet of Andrej Babiš will hold its first meeting on Monday after ministers are appointed in the morning, the Government Office said. The session is expected to outline responsibilities for minister without portfolio Boris Šťastný (Motorists), who is set to become minister for sport, prevention and health. The Government Office, now temporarily led by Petra Fojtíková, will again be headed by Tünde Bartha, who served in the role from 2018 to 2021.

Czech GDP per capita in purchasing-power standards rose to 91 percent of the EU average last year, matching Slovenia and Spain and ranking highest in the Visegrad Group, the Czech Statistical Office said. Luxembourg remains the EU’s leader at 242 percent, while Bulgaria remains lowest at 66 percent. Among post-2004 EU members, Czechia ranks third behind Cyprus and Malta, which saw the fastest growth at 5.9 percent. Austria recorded the biggest drop.

Outgoing Health Minister Vlastimil Válek said his term was defined by Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, the Czech EU Presidency and efforts to stabilise medicines during a global supply crisis. He acknowledged setbacks, including the failure to allow payments for special care, incomplete reimbursement-decree reform and the abandoned merger of insurers. Unions and the Czech Medical Chamber argue he leaves the system worse off, citing staffing and funding strains.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute is rolling out a redesigned website aimed at faster, more user-friendly access to weather, climate and hydrology data, director Marek Rieder said. The portal keeps the existing content but updates its structure and presentation to reflect current digital-communication standards. The site, still accessible at www.chmi.cz, will be introduced in three phases and available to all users by the end of December.