Czech news in brief for June 26: Friday's top afternoon headlines

After affecting large swathes of Western Europe, record-breaking temperatures have moved east and arrived in Czechia. Updating its previous assessment, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) is now saying that Czechia's all-time temperature record of 40.4 degrees from 2012 could be broken on both Saturday and Sunday.

Tropical times. According to ČHMÚ, "since the 1960s, the temperature [in Czechia] has risen by two degrees, by three degrees in the summer, and the number of tropical days has tripled" from a yearly average of four to 12 today - and even 30 in larger cities.

Wildfire warnings. Czech meteorologists have warned wildfires could start and spread easily due to warm and dry weather, with the warning in effect in the regions of Bohemia, Olomouc and southern Moravia throughout the weekend.

The lower house of Parliament today approved a controversial bill designed to change the labor and employment rules of civil servants and employees of state institutions. Pushed by the government, the reform aims to bring the rules regulating their employment closer to more regular employer/employee relationships in effect in the private sector, including by making it easier to dismiss or replace them.

Why is it controversial? Voting against the law, politicians from the opposition claim the reform could politicize the employment of civil servants and prioritize loyalty over skills and competence, among other areas of criticism.

Taking many by surprise, striker Patrik Schick said he was putting an end to his international career just a day after the Czech team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. "This decision is not impulsive and did not come overnight. It's an idea I have carried with me for a long time," he said on Instagram.

Top striker. Schick had made his debut with Czechia's national squad in 2016 and quickly became one of the team's most offensive and efficient strikers. In total, he scored 26 goals in 56 appearances.

The office of the president announced today that municipal elections and the first round of partial senatorial elections will be held on October 9-10. A second round for a third of the Senate's seats should take place on October 16-17.

Don't forget. EU citizens can both stand and vote in local elections of other EU member states. The process isn't too complicated, and should be completed at the latest a couple of days before election day.

Fires will not be allowed near vegetation in the entire Central Bohemian region from Friday to Sunday, regional governor Petra Pecková announced today due to the hot weather conditions and the risk of wildfires spreading. There will also be a ban on cars and motor vehicles entering fields and forest roads.

Prague also concerned. At the same time, the Prague City Hall also introduced a ban on lighting up fires in parks, gardens and other green spaces throughout the city - applicable on Saturday and Sunday.