Czech news in brief for January 26: Monday's top afternoon headlines

The Supreme Audit Office (NKU) reported that CZK 500 million spent between 2016 and 2023 to improve regional education quality yielded no significant benefits. Despite the investment, student performance in key subjects like mathematics and reading continues to stagnate or decline. While the Education Ministry met formal goals, it failed to evaluate long-term impacts. Conversely, NKU found that CZK 460 million used for integrating Ukrainian students was spent effectively.

The Czech government will keep defence spending at 2 percent of GDP in its draft 2026 budget, with no plans to raise military outlays above the current NATO benchmark. SPD leader Tomio Okamura said funds should instead be directed toward social services and easing cost-of-living pressures. Opposition parties warned that freezing defence spending risks weakening Czech security and undermining commitments to NATO allies.

The Health Ministry is drafting legislation to allow the delivery of prescription medications via couriers or automated dispensing boxes. Health Minister Adam Vojtěch expects the service to be operational within two years, aiming to help immobile patients and those with limited pharmacy access. While the Czech Chamber of Pharmacists maintains that professional supervision is vital for safety, the reform would legalize remote dispensing while maintaining strict identity verification standards.

Hypermarket chain Globus is launching its own grocery delivery service, starting in Prague before expanding to Central Bohemia and Ostrava this spring. Moving away from third-party partners like Foodora and Wolt, the new “Globus Online” system integrates with the My Globus mobile app and loyalty program. Customers can choose from 32,000 items, with a minimum order of CZK 500, and receive free delivery for purchases exceeding CZK 1,500.

Heritage experts have written to opposition leader Andrej Babiš, warning that recent amendments to the Building Act threaten Czech Republic’s protected monuments. The critics argue that simplified permitting processes reduce the authority of conservationists, potentially leading to irreversible damage to historic urban areas. They call for a revision of the legislation to ensure that development speed does not come at the expense of national cultural identity and strict architectural preservation standards.