Czech news in brief for June 10: Tuesday's top headlines

Czech leaders on Tuesday expressed deep regret after a tragic school shooting in Graz, Austria, left at least ten people dead and dozens injured. Prime Minister Petr Fiala called the attack “extremely painful” at a place meant for safety. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky and other officials, including former PM Andrej Babis and Interior Minister Vit Rakusan, offered condolences, recalling a similar tragedy in Prague in December 2023. Education Minister Mikulas Bek also extended solidarity to Austrian colleagues.

Speaking to domestic media, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský today emphasized the need for Europe to bolster its own and Ukraine's security to reaffirm the validity of borders on the continent. Lipavský expressed concerns over Russian threats of nuclear war and highlighted differing views with Slovakia on achieving a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. The Visegrad Four countries, including Czech Republic and Slovakia, continue to seek common ground in addressing Russia's aggression against Ukraine amidst diplomatic efforts led by the U.S.

The Ministry of Interior ranked highest among Czech ministries in the 2024 K-Index assessing transparency and corruption risk, the anti-corruption group Hlídač státu reported. This means the Interior Ministry was the least corrupt. The Ministry of Finance remained last but showed improvement. The best-rated public institution was a regional facility for the further education of pedagogical workers. Of 1,262 entities evaluated, including state bodies and agencies, most improved their scores.

A survey by research agencies Optimio and Ipsos found 74 percent of Czechs use classic search engines like Google daily, while only 17 percent use AI chatbots such as ChatGPT. Most avoid AI for personal queries, preferring search engines for recipes or shopping. However, AI chatbots lead in work-related tasks like programming and translations. About a third find search engines more accurate, compared to 13 percent for AI. Men use and trust AI chatbots more for technical work than women, who favor linguistic tasks.

Czech consumer prices rose 2.4 percent year-on-year in May, up from 1.8 percent in April, the Czech Statistical Office said Monday. The increase was driven mainly by higher food and housing costs, despite falling fuel prices. Compared to April, prices rose 0.5 percent. Notably, eggs surged 44.3 percent, and chocolate jumped 23.4 percent, while sugar and flour prices dropped. Analysts expect inflation to peak in June before slowing to 2 percent later this year. Fuel prices continued to ease for the tenth month.

A Prague court has sentenced a senior woman and a dentist to 13 and 12 years in prison for the premeditated murder of a Kutna Hora sect leader. The dentist was also barred from practicing medicine and ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment. Both women, who confessed to the killing, claimed insanity, blaming the victim’s influence. However, the court found he was manipulative but sane. The verdict is not final, as both have appealed.

Eva Decroix, deputy chairwoman of the ODS party, will be appointed Minister of Justice today, replacing Pavel Blažek, who resigned amid controversy over a bitcoin donation. President Petr Pavel will officially name Decroix, followed by her inauguration by Prime Minister and party leader Petr Fiala. The Czech News Agency (ČTK) will broadcast the appointment live at 11 a.m. and the inauguration at 12:10 p.m.

Former Czech PM Andrej Babiš spoke at a France rally with Viktor Orban and Marine Le Pen, defending national sovereignty and criticizing the EU as a bureaucratic, ideological force. Orban condemned EU migration policy as cultural replacement and praised France’s far-right National Association. The Patriots for Europe group, led by Le Pen allies, is the third-largest in the European Parliament, with several Czech MEPs among its members.

Prices of all real estate types rose in Q1 2025, with apartments up 10 percent year-on-year, the ČSOB index shows. Houses increased 6.3 percent and land 5.5 percent. Quarter-on-quarter, apartments rose 3.7 percent. Demand for small apartments and family houses grew, especially in Moravian-Silesian and Karlovy Vary regions. Limited land supply and zoning issues keep prices high. Experts expect prices to stay elevated amid strong demand and mortgage recovery.

Central Bohemian councillors approved a public transport fare increase, with Prague councilors set to decide this summer. The hike responds to rising operating costs, with paper ticket prices rising 30 percent, electronic 20 percent from January. Opposition fears it will burden low-income groups and increase road traffic. Regular price adjustments will consider inflation. Expanded bus boarding will speed suburban services.

Prague City Court will rule on a dentist and senior citizen accused of murdering a cult leader in 2023. Both confessed but claim insanity due to the leader's mental influence. Prosecutors seek 14 and 16-year prison terms. The cult leader allegedly sought death and manipulated the accused. The case also involves other cult-related deaths under investigation.

A CVVM survey shows most Czechs eat three meals daily, with breakfast and dinner mainly prepared at home. Lunch preparation at home rose to 52 percent. Food delivery apps remain uncommon, with 62 percent never using them. Younger, urban, and educated groups use delivery more. Men tend to eat three meals; women more often eat four. Older and less-educated people dine out less frequently.