Czech news in brief for June 12: Thursday's top headlines

Czech President Petr Pavel urged stronger European defense and continued support for Ukraine at the Globsec conference in Prague on Wednesday. He called for enhanced EU defense capabilities without replacing NATO and emphasized coordination ahead of July’s NATO summit. Pavel warned that Europe must be prepared to act without U.S. support if needed, stressing Ukraine’s survival as essential and advocating for a “Marshall Plan”-style reconstruction effort.

U.S. actor Michael Douglas will present a digitally restored version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival to mark the film’s 50th anniversary. Douglas, who produced the Oscar-winning film, will appear alongside co-producer Paul Zaentz and the family of Czech-born director Miloš Forman. The film will screen in the festival’s Returns to the Sources section.

Czechia’s population declined by 32,600 in the first quarter of 2025, dropping to 10.88 million, the Czech Statistical Office said Wednesday. The decrease was driven by more deaths than births and a negative foreign migration balance. Births fell 14 percent year-on-year, while deaths rose 3 percent. Migration was dominated by Ukrainians. Marriages declined for the third year, while divorces held steady, with most involving couples with minor children.

The Czech government will raise quotas for skilled foreign workers and cut those for unqualified labor starting in July, under a new Interior Ministry regulation. The changes aim to attract IT professionals and experts from India, China, and Asia while reducing lower-skilled visas from Africa. Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the move supports labor needs and innovation. The new quotas apply to long-term visas processed through 11 embassies.

EU and Czech officials will meet Friday to discuss the future of Ukrainian refugees in light of possible ceasefire scenarios. The talks aim to outline long-term residency frameworks, support systems, and integration policies for those displaced by war. With pressure mounting to anticipate postwar realities, officials are expected to explore coordinated responses across member states, balancing humanitarian commitments with practical concerns as the conflict enters a potentially new and uncertain phase.

Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap supported Palestine and criticized Israel at Rock for People festival, drawing crowd chants and visible flags. The Jewish Federation condemned the group’s alleged extremism. Organizers emphasized artistic freedom. The sold-out fest hosts 50,000 visitors and features global acts like Slipknot and Guns N’ Roses through June 15.

The Czech Senate rejected a bill mandating verbal assessments instead of marks for young students, returning it to the lower house. The proposal, aimed at easing school pressure, also limited postponements of compulsory schooling. Senators criticized the plan as restricting teacher autonomy. A revised vote date is uncertain due to ongoing bitcoin fraud debates.

According to the Ami Digital Index, Czechs now spend 143 minutes daily on social media, one minute less than in 2024 and 21 minutes below the 2022 peak. Usage dropped for over-45s but rose for younger groups. YouTube and Facebook remain top platforms, while Instagram grows. X (formerly Twitter) saw its first user decline.

A Prague court sentenced three men to 11.5 to 12.5 years for defrauding 800+ people of CZK 195M by posing as fake bankers. Another suspect awaits sentencing Thursday under a plea deal. The international gang, active since 2020, targeted Czechs from Ukrainian call centers. Police from both countries dismantled the group in 2023. Verdicts are not yet final.