Czech news in brief for January 8: Thursday's top afternoon headlines

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Slovak counterpart Robert Fico announced that joint government meetings will resume, with the next session scheduled for March 31 in Czechia. The leaders discussed energy cooperation, including Czech transit of gas to Slovakia, and plans to deepen bilateral ties, explore rental housing models, and revive Visegrad Four collaboration. Fico also raised nuclear energy projects and criticized EU support for Ukraine. Former PM Petr Fiala says the news signals a turn to the east.

The Czech Republic will see snowfall from Friday, with western Bohemia expecting 5–10 cm and mountain areas up to 15 cm, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) said. Temperatures will warm slightly on Friday and Saturday, reaching just above zero in some areas, before frosty conditions return from Sunday, with night lows dropping to minus 16 °C in places. Early next week will remain cold, with nighttime temperatures potentially falling to minus 17 °C.

Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva will visit the Vatican on January 19, where they will meet Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Presidential Office announced. Pavel first congratulated the new pope last May and invited him to Prague. The visit follows ongoing discussions over the 2025 Czech-Vatican agreement regulating the Catholic Church’s status in the country.

Czechs took out CZK 442 billion in mortgage and building loans in 2025, the second-highest total ever, ČSOB estimates. Mortgages alone reached CZK 380 billion, a 50 percent rise from 2024. CEO Martin Vašek cited low interest rates, strong real-wage growth, and high buyer activity. ČSOB expects another robust year in 2026, forecasting 13 percent growth in housing finance to around CZK 502 billion.

Czech firefighters plan extraordinary inspections of nightclubs, bars, and discos following a New Year’s Eve fire in Switzerland’s Crans-Montana that killed 40 people. Officials warned that unauthorized building modifications and violations of fire safety rules are common risks in nightlife venues. Fire Department spokeswoman Klára Ochmanová said inspections will focus on safety compliance, while operators remain responsible for ongoing fire protection measures throughout a venue’s operation.