Czech news in brief for January 7: Wednesday's top afternoon headlines

President Petr Pavel has refused to appoint Motorists MP Filip Turek as environment minister, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said after a New Year’s meeting with the head of state at Prague Castle on Wednesday. Babiš said he had again nominated Turek under a coalition agreement, but failed to persuade the president to approve the appointment. The Presidential Office later confirmed Pavel’s stance has not changed and said he will formally explain his decision in writing.

The National Security Council did not adopt any decision on the Czech-led ammunition initiative for Ukraine at its meeting on Wednesday, despite expectations it would address the issue. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the initiative will continue, but without funding from the Czech state budget, with Czechia acting only as a coordinator. Council members were briefed on how the scheme operates, including which companies are involved, but no changes to its structure were approved.

Only the Czech and European Union flags will routinely fly outside the government headquarters at the Straka Academy in Prague, with the Ukrainian flag displayed only on significant occasions, a government spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Karla Mráčková stressed the change does not signal reduced support for Ukraine, saying the Ukrainian flag will be raised for events such as the anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Similar flag removals at other state institutions in recent months have drawn criticism from opposition politicians.

Consumer prices in Czechia rose by 2.1 percent year-on-year in December, unchanged from November, according to a preliminary estimate from the Czech Statistical Office. Prices fell by 0.3 percent compared to November, with lower energy and food prices helping to offset continued rises in services. Services inflation accelerated to 4.8 percent year-on-year, while energy prices dropped by more than four percent. Analysts say the figures are unlikely to affect Czech National Bank interest rate policy in the coming months.

Prague Castle welcomed a record 2.7 million paying visitors in 2025, surpassing its previous high from 2019, according to the Castle Administration. Most ticket holders were foreign tourists, while more than nine million people in total passed through the wider castle complex, including its gardens.

Visitor numbers were highest in the summer and autumn months, with August, July, and October the busiest periods. Attendance also rose during Advent, when daily ticket sales increased by around 20 percent year-on-year, boosted by open days and the exhibition of the Czech crown jewels.