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Summary for: Czech news in brief for February 4: Wednesday's top afternoon headlines
Turek will not be appointed minister
Political stand-off ends?
Turek will not be appointed minister
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš confirmed Wednesday that Filip Turek will not join the cabinet, stating President Petr Pavel will never appoint him. Following a meeting at Prague Castle intended to resolve a standoff over threatening text messages, Babiš noted the topic is now closed. The Prime Minister will propose a new candidate for the Ministry of the Environment on Thursday, ending a week of political tension between the government and the presidency.
Ukraine gift
Kellner family donates CZK 170 to Ukraine
The Kellner Family Foundation is donating CZK 170 million (USD 8.3 million) to the Olena Zelenska Foundation, which supports Ukrainian children and families affected by the war, the foundation said Tuesday. The funds will help provide generators, batteries, charging stations, and humanitarian aid for schools, hospitals, foster families, and the elderly. Czech NGOs and citizens have raised over CZK 175 million for winter relief, with the government contributing 10 million.
Court rules on clash
Driver sentenced after clash with Ukrainian family
A Prague district court has sentenced a tram driver to 200 hours of community service and social retraining following a physical confrontation with a Ukrainian couple last year. While prosecutors sought charges of national defamation, the judge ruled the incident constituted disorderly conduct. The driver, who must also pay CZK 55,000 in damages, allegedly struck a passenger and used xenophobic insults after a dispute regarding a child’s behavior on the tram.
Cheap imports hit with tax
Duty-free limit on Chinese imports to EU ends
The European Union has approved a flat customs duty of EUR 3 (approx. CZK 75) on all small parcels valued under EUR 150. The measure, set to take effect in mid-2026, aims to curb the massive influx of low-cost goods from Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein. Officials state the change is necessary to protect European retailers, ensure product safety, and prevent tax evasion through the systematic undervaluation of shipments
The games begin
NHL stars and dual-sport Ledecká lead Winter Games
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will feature the return of NHL players to the ice hockey tournament, marking a major highlight for Czech sports fans. Gold medalist Ester Ledecká plans to compete in both alpine skiing and snowboarding events once again. The games officially begin with the opening ceremony Friday, Feb. 6, at Milan’s San Siro Stadium. Preliminary competitions in curling and ice hockey got underway on Feb. 4. The games run through Feb. 22, with 116 medal events across Northern Italy.
DAILY POLL RESULTS: Our recent shows that 91 percent of readers have no personal history with the Czech university system. However, a pioneering nearly 10 percent of respondents are already tapping into private education, either through their own studies or those of their children.
