Czech news in brief for February 20: Friday's top morning headlines

The cabinet of Andrej Babiš will present its "Czech Republic: Country for the Future 2.0" strategy today, focusing on private sector development over state intervention. Approved Monday, the plan targets energy, education, and transport to improve the national business environment. Key measures include potential state buyouts of minority ČEZ shares and heavy investment in nuclear and gas to lower energy costs. Ministers Havlíček and Schillerová highlighted the shift toward innovation and reduced bureaucracy.

Commemorative events are taking place across the Czech Republic to mark the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Saturday. President Petr Pavel is scheduled to address the public at a ceremony in Prague's Old Town, emphasizing continued humanitarian and military support. Organizers have planned rallies and exhibitions in major cities to honor victims and show solidarity with the Ukrainian community, which remains the largest immigrant group in the country.

The first round of applications for Czech high schools and vocational programs closes today. Applicants must submit their forms through the DiPSy electronic system or by paper to their preferred schools. This deadline is critical for students entering the 2026/2027 academic year, as it determines eligibility for the unified entrance exams in April. Education officials expect high volumes of last-minute digital submissions before the midnight cutoff.

Workers have begun dismantling the nearly 45-year-old Soviet-era escalators at Flora metro station as part of a full-scale renovation. The station, closed since Feb. 2, is being stripped to its supporting structures, with old ceilings and cladding removed. New escalators are expected this summer, and barrier-free access with an elevator is planned for February 2028. The station is set to reopen in late November or December.

Speed skaters Metoděj Jílek and Martina Sáblíková will carry the Czech flag at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Jílek secured a historic gold medal in the 10,000-meter event, while veteran Sáblíková added a silver to her career medal count. The Czech Olympic Committee confirmed the selection ahead of Sunday's final event, celebrating the pair’s significant contributions to the national team’s success in Italy.