Czech news in brief for July 22: Wednesday's top morning headlines

This morning, President Petr Pavel is warning against attacks on judicial independence as tensions continue over his dispute with the government. The Senate prepares to debate the return of EET and other major reforms in August. And after a summer of extreme swings, Czechia’s weather outlook points to a cooler start to August. Good morning, here’s your curated look at this morning’s news.

President Petr Pavel warned against undermining public confidence in the judiciary, saying public claims that courts are biased or politically motivated weaken trust in the rule of law. Speaking at a conference organized by the Network for Protection of Democracy, Transparency International, and Glopolis marking the release of the European Commission's 2025 Rule of Law Report, Pavel said democratic institutions must be continuously protected rather than taken for granted.

Rule of law concerns: Pavel's remarks came as the government seeks to have the Constitutional Court dismiss his complaint over being excluded from the Czech delegation to this month's NATO summit.

The Czech Senate will debate the return of electronic sales registration (EET), changes to the building law, and reforms to the civil service during its Aug. 19–20 session. Senate President Miloš Vystrčil said the building law is expected to face particularly detailed scrutiny and could be amended or rejected.

What's next: Senators will also review legislation to restore EET from 2027 and overhaul civil service rules. The government says the measures will improve tax collection and streamline administration, while critics warn of increased bureaucracy and political interference.

Neurosurgeons at České Budějovice Hospital have become the first in Czechia and only the third team worldwide to perform brain procedures using 3D glasses, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. The technology was introduced in June, and two patients have already undergone successful operations.

Medical innovation: The system projects AI-generated holograms of the patient's brain onto the surgeon's field of view, helping guide catheter placement during neurosurgery. The technology has so far been used on just five patients worldwide.

The Health Ministry plans to expand hospital palliative care teams across Czechia and improve access to end-of-life care as part of a new strategy through 2035. Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said the plan aims to prepare the healthcare system for a growing number of patients requiring specialized support, with more doctors and nurses needing palliative care training.

Healthcare changes: Around 60 percent of people who die in Czechia each year require palliative care, a figure expected to rise significantly by 2050. The ministry wants to establish teams in regions where they are currently missing, expand pediatric care, and train thousands of healthcare workers and caregivers.

After a summer of extreme swings between record heat and sharp cold spells, Czechia could see another change in August, with meteorologists expecting below-average temperatures in the first half of the month. A brief return of warmer weather is forecast for the end of July before cooler conditions return.

Weather outlook: The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute expects temperatures in early August to remain around or below seasonal averages, while rainfall should be close to normal. Forecasters note that summer storms could still create significant regional differences in precipitation.