Czech news in brief for January 5: Monday's top afternoon headlines

The Czech government of Andrej Babiš approved its policy statement on Jan. 5, listing cheaper energy, affordable healthcare and housing, pensions, and citizen security as priorities. Ministers, appointed Dec. 15, will seek a lower house confidence vote next week. The statement promises no tax increases, reintroduction of electronic revenue registration, media fee abolition, and a national referendum, while affirming Czech sovereignty in the EU and NATO and opposing the EU migration pact and ETS 2 scheme.

The Czech governing coalition of ANO, SPD, and Motorists plans to propose stricter rules for Ukrainians under temporary protection, nearly four years after Russia’s invasion. SPD leader Tomio Okamura said changes aim to prevent people from receiving benefits while living long-term in Ukraine and to more rigorously combat crime by foreigners. Czech authorities report 397,300 Ukrainians currently hold temporary protection, with a total of 725,800 refugees received since February 2022, including 215,000 children.

Czech consular services, including visa applications and travel documents, remain largely manual due to poor integration between the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs. Officials repeatedly retype data and send documents via courier. A Supreme Audit Office review found that new digital systems, planned since 2016 with a budget of CZK 732 million, are significantly delayed. Passport systems have been partially integrated, but full electronicization depends on legal changes and future system development.

Prices for older apartments in the Czechia increased 17 percent in 2025, reaching an average of CZK 82,091 per square meter, while rents rose 8 percent and subletting of rooms climbed 10 percent. Family houses and cottages also became more expensive, with sales up 10 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Building plots rose modestly by 3 percent. Analysts warn stricter investment mortgage rules from April 2026 may influence the market but expect continued interest in older properties.

Prague’s Florenc district will be redeveloped with four residential and mixed-use blocks designed by fifteen European architectural studios. The project, Florenc21, will cover 108,000 square meters, adding housing, offices, retail, a hotel, and pedestrian zones linking Nové Město, Karlín, and Žižkov. Construction is planned to start in 2028, with completion by 2031. Underground garages and public spaces will be included, while designs respect historical surroundings. The estimated investment is around CZK 20 billion.