Czech news in brief for February 1: Sunday's top afternoon headlines

A demonstration in support of President Petr Pavel drew an anticipated 80,000–90,000 participants to Prague’s Old Town and Wenceslas Squares on Sunday, according to the Million Moments association. The rally followed SMS messages from Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, which Pavel called an attempt at blackmail. Transport was disrupted, including the closure of the Staroměstská metro station. Parallel events in other cities also saw citizens expressing support for the president.

Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said the Foreign Ministry would ignore the Presidential Office amid a dispute with President Petr Pavel over leaked text messages linked to the rejection of MP Filip Turek as environment minister. Speaking on Czech Television, Macinka said he would not apologise and accused the president of acting beyond constitutional limits. Former president Miloš Zeman defended Pavel’s right to reject ministers but said he would have appointed Turek.

Analysts expect the Czech National Bank (CNB) to keep its key interest rate at 3.5 percent at Thursday’s meeting. Despite January inflation likely falling below the 2 percent target, higher costs in services and housing keep price pressures elevated. Experts say future rate cuts may depend on wage growth, productivity, or ECB policy. Fiscal expansion and the state budget deficit also signal caution for the central bank.

Applications for Czech secondary schools opened today and will run until Feb. 20. Students can submit up to five applications via the DiPSy system or on paper, with limits on talent-based programs. Admission is based on entrance exam results and preferences. Four-year programs and follow-ups have exams in April, while multi-year gymnasiums hold theirs mid-April. Last year, demand exceeded supply in some regions, including Prague, but this year’s number of applicants is not yet known.

Finance Minister Alena Schillerová said Czech defense spending will grow according to budget possibilities and army needs, while maintaining the 2 percent of GDP target. The government proposed CZK 185 billion for 2026, CZK 21 billion less than the previous draft, affecting new and pending projects. Last year’s spending was CZK 171.1 billion (2.02 percent of GDP). NATO aims for 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035, with non-military investments adding 1.5 percent.