Czech news in brief for June 22: Sunday's top headlines

Czech Meteorological Institute issued an orange alert for strong storms Monday across several regions, including Prague and Moravia. Storms may bring wind gusts up to 110 km/h, hail over 2 cm, and heavy rain up to 30 mm. A cold front will bring afternoon showers and isolated supercell storms, posing risks of damage from hail, wind, and flash floods.

Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová said Monday that ending Iran’s nuclear program remains a key security concern for Europe. Commenting on the US strike on Iranian nuclear sites, she noted Europe’s long unsuccessful efforts to resolve the issue. Černochová believes Iran will avoid escalation, as the US framed the attacks as a targeted, one-time action to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

The average private-sector wage in Czechia rose 4 percent to EUR 1,849 (CZK 46,557) this year, marking the slowest growth among Visegrad Group countries (V4), according to a Forvis Mazars study. Czech wages remain the second highest in the group after Poland. Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary saw faster wage growth, while V4 neighbor Austria boasts an average wage of EUR 5,009 (CZK 126,125), nearly three times higher than Czechia.

Analysts expect the Czech National Bank to hold its key interest rate at 3.5 percent during Wednesday’s meeting, citing stable inflation and a strong economy. Experts say a rate cut could still occur later this year depending on economic developments and external risks such as global market uncertainty and trade tensions. The central bank’s next key decision may come in August after new economic data is released.

Roughly 300 people marched through central Prague on Saturday in a pro-Palestinian demonstration criticizing Israeli actions in Gaza and Czech government support for Israel. Organized by Friends of Palestine, the event featured chants, banners, and Palestinian flags. Police monitored the march, which remained peaceful. Organizers accused Israel of genocide but made no mention of the Hamas-led October 7 attack that triggered the Israeli military response in Gaza.

About 1,500 people joined the Brno Pride Parade on Friday, peacefully marching through the city center to close the annual Brno Pride Week. Participants carried rainbow flags and banners calling for love and inclusion. This year’s festival included over 50 events and highlighted topics like menstrual poverty and LGBTQ+ rights in Slovakia. Organizers noted a drop in regional and corporate funding, relying more on individual donations.

Dozens of Czech tourists were evacuated Friday from areas near Split, Croatia, due to a wildfire, according to Czech travel agencies. No injuries were reported. The fire forced hundreds of evacuations and is suspected to be arson. Czech agencies are relocating clients to unaffected hotels and coordinating with local authorities. Highway closures affected several coastal resorts, but the fire is now under control, Croatian media reported.

Nearly one in three Czech households now consist of a single person, the Czech Statistical Office reports. That figure has risen from less than a quarter two decades ago. Seniors over 65 account for half of all one-person households. Rising divorce rates, delayed family formation, and longer life spans contribute to the trend. The average household size has dropped to 2.3 people from 2.52 in 2005.

Czech citizens evacuated from the embassy in Tehran amid escalating Iran-Israel tensions have safely arrived in Prague, Ambassador Vítězslav Grepl told Czech Radio. He confirmed no Czechs remain in Iran and travel warnings are still in place. Embassy personnel first fled to Azerbaijan in two groups before returning home. The Foreign Ministry closed the embassy Thursday due to security risks. A second evacuation flight is also planned for Czechs leaving Israel.

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said that Czechia is open to concrete evidence of sanctions circumvention but cannot act on vague claims. The comment follows Ukrainian President Zelensky’s allegation that Czech firms may be supplying machinery to Russia for arms production. Lipavský noted new EU measures allowing customs to block suspect exports. Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček pledged investigations if credible information is received from Ukraine.

The Czech Probation and Mediation Service urgently needs more staff and better pay, new director Gabriela Slováková said Friday. Officers are overworked, risking burnout, and cannot fully support offenders or victims, she warned. With 574 employees, the service lacks capacity for key programs like prison visits and resocialization. Slováková said adding 200 staff would be a low-cost step to improve safety and reduce recidivism nationwide.