Czech news in brief for February 9: Sunday's top headlines

On Sunday afternoon, police evacuated a hotel in Prague's Smíchov district after staff discovered wires on a room's door handle, raising suspicions of an explosive device. A police negotiator was dispatched as the occupant remained unresponsive. Authorities have restricted traffic on Stroupežnického Street during the investigation.

Czech law enforcement is investigating potential illegal drone exports to Ukraine, including alleged military smuggling and diplomatic passport misuse, Defense Minister Jana Černochová said. Military police are examining possible unauthorized use of Defense Ministry property. Opposition lawmakers demand a parliamentary debate, while Černochová insists on legal compliance. The case also implicates a top Czech special forces commander.

The Czech Education Ministry will limit second foreign language choices in primary schools to German, French, and Spanish to ensure continuity in secondary education, Minister Mikuláš Bek said. Russian and Italian will no longer be options. The changes, part of a revised curriculum, will be phased in from 2034. English instruction will also begin earlier, with proficiency expectations raised to B1 by ninth grade.

The Czech crown was undervalued by 21.2 percent against the U.S. dollar in late January, according to the latest Big Mac index. A Big Mac in the U.S. cost $5.79, while in the Czech Republic it was CZK 109. The theoretical exchange rate should be CZK 18.83 per $1, but it is currently around CZK 24.20. The undervaluation is attributed to interest rate differences and U.S. trade policy under President Trump.

Next week, the Czech lower house will vote on a controversial bill to increase fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio, which would also expand the pool of contributors. The vote will follow three parliamentary sessions, including two extraordinary ones called by the government. Additionally, MPs will debate whether to grant police approval for the prosecution of opposition leader Tomio Okamura regarding hate speech allegations related to an SPD campaign.

According to the latest Kantar CZ election poll, the opposition ANO party would receive 33.5 percent of the vote in parliamentary elections, while the ruling Spolu coalition would secure just 19 percent. The Motorists party gained significant traction, tying with the Pirates at 7.5 percent. Six parties are projected to make it into the chamber, with voter turnout at the fall election predicted to be 59.5 percent.

The price of older houses in good condition or after renovation rose by seven percent year-on-year in the last quarter of 2024, with a 150-square-meter home averaging CZK 6 million. Plzeň saw the highest increase at 13 percent, followed by Ostrava at 12 percent. Prague remains the most expensive, with homes averaging CZK 15.4 million. Despite rising mortgage rates, demand remains strong, according to data from online real estate platforms.

Ester Ledecká secured bronze in the downhill at the Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach, marking her first world medal in skiing. The surprise winner was American Breezy Johnson, with Austria’s Mirjam Puchner taking silver. Ledecká, an Olympic champion in both skiing and snowboarding, finished 0.21 seconds behind Johnson. The medal makes her only the second Czech skier to reach the podium at a world championship.

Czech parliament is set to approve regulations for self-driving cars, which will require drivers to take control when prompted. The road law amendment also enables toll expansion to lower-class roads, with regional authorities deciding fees. The bill extends vehicle inspection validity and allows online license services. Opposition lawmakers raised safety concerns, but officials argue the reforms modernize transport laws. A vote is expected in the coming weeks.

Thousands of rusting barrels of styrene waste are leaking into groundwater near Nelahozeves, officials have confirmed. A Prague court ruled the site a hazardous spill, requiring cleanup after years of inaction. The Czech Environmental Inspectorate and local authorities dispute responsibility for removal, with costs expected to reach millions. The barrels, buried in the 1970s and 1980s, have contaminated local wells and water sources.

The Patriots for Europe group is strengthening its position in the European Parliament, ANO leader Andrej Babiš said at a Madrid summit Friday. He criticized the EU’s Green Deal and praised Donald Trump’s energy policies. The meeting, attended by Marine Le Pen and Viktor Orbán, aimed to show the group’s growing influence. A protester briefly disrupted the event, shouting against far-right politics.

Czech police received reports on five online fentanyl sellers last year, with over 30 ads detected, drug regulators said. While fentanyl is legally prescribed for severe pain, some supplies leak into the black market. Police warn users extract it from pain patches. In 2023, officers seized 90 patches and 0.45g of fentanyl. The drug, fueling a crisis in the U.S., is also spreading in Europe.

Czech health insurance funds, including the largest, VZP, are expected to end 2025 with a deficit of CZK 7.8 billion. Despite government promises to prevent further depletion of reserves, funds are projected to end the year with a significant shortfall. Over the past five years, reserves have dropped from CZK 36 billion to just CZK 15 billion. With rising healthcare costs, experts warn that sustainable financing for health services will need to be addressed by the next government.