Czech news in brief for January 2: Friday's top afternoon headlines

Czech opposition parties plan to seek a parliamentary vote to dismiss lower house speaker Tomio Okamura over his New Year’s speech opposing arms aid to Ukraine. Pirates leader Zdenek Hrib said signature collection will begin next week. Civic Democrats and other parties condemned Okamura’s remarks as unacceptable. Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, called them ignorant and harmful, though he thanked the Czechs for their continued support.

The Czech Ministry of Defence has launched a tender to purchase multiple drone systems worth more than €20 million. Deliveries are planned for the end of 2026 and will include heavy multicopters and hundreds of smaller drones for reconnaissance, monitoring, and training purposes. The tender excludes suppliers from Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China, citing national security concerns over technology from countries deemed hostile.

Czechia has offered to transport patients to a burn center in Prague after a deadly fire at a Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said on the X platform today. The fire killed 40 people and injured over 100. While Switzerland has not requested a Czech team on site, the offer remains open, with logistics support ready from Czech medical and rescue services.

The Czech economy grew 2.8 percent year on year in the third quarter, its strongest pace since mid-2022, revised data from the Czech Statistical Office showed. GDP rose 0.8 percent from the previous quarter. Growth was driven by domestic and foreign demand, with household spending the largest contributor. Real household incomes edged up, while consumption rose faster as savings rates fell toward pre-crisis levels.

A low, first-level avalanche risk now applies in the Krkonoše Mountains, the Mountain Rescue Service said, marking the first such alert this winter. Snow depth on ridges ranges from 20 to 50 centimeters after recent snowfall and strong winds. Small slab avalanches may occur on leeward slopes above the tree line, though hiking conditions are generally considered safe.

The Archdiocese of Prague has approved plans to build a new parish church in the industrial town of Neratovice using 3D printing technology. The Holy Trinity Church, which has been under preparation since 2024, will be constructed from hundreds of concrete blocks designed to reduce costs and enhance acoustics. Construction has begun, partly funded by donations, filling a long-standing gap in the community.