Czech news in brief for June 27: Friday's top headlines

Right-wing Motorists for Themselves party leader Petr Macinka won the 2024 Green Pearl poll for the most anti-ecological statement, organizers announced Thursday. Macinka said it would be “interesting” to “de-ecologize” the Environment Ministry, adding that “green blood would probably flow.” The poll, run by the Children of the Earth group, drew 35 nominations; 80 judges, including scientists and ecologists, selected the winners. Macinka also placed second, while ANO leader Andrej Babiš took third. Macinka said he “extremely appreciates” the result.

The Czech lower house approved a bill this afternoon tightening asylum and migration rules to better track migrant stays and limit system abuse. The amendment, based on the EU’s migration pact, aims to speed up international protection procedures and responds to the influx of Ukrainian refugees. Lawmakers also backed denying protection to Ukrainians already protected in other EU states and allowing the expulsion of foreigners repeatedly convicted of serious crimes. The bill now moves to the Senate for debate.

A Czech woman was found dead Friday in a hotel room in Primorsko, a Bulgarian seaside resort, with bruises on her neck, Bulgarian media reported. A 41-year-old Czech man, reportedly traveling with her, was detained in connection with the death. Police took the body to Burgas University Hospital for autopsy. The Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed the embassy is in contact with Bulgarian authorities. The investigation is ongoing, and the cause of death has not been confirmed.

The Czech economy grew 2.4 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the fastest pace since mid-2022, the Czech Statistical Office reported. Growth was driven mainly by household and government spending, while foreign trade weighed on results. Quarter-on-quarter GDP rose 0.7 percent, supported by investments and consumption. Analysts expect around 2 percent growth for the year, up from 1 percent in 2024. Household incomes and spending showed slight real increases in early 2025.

Wage growth in Czech companies slowed to 4.5 percent in 2025, down from 5.7 percent in 2024 and 7.3 percent in 2023, the financial Comp&Ben Association reported. Despite the slowdown, raises still outpace inflation, predicted at 2.5 percent. Service, technology, and IT sectors lead increases, while manufacturing and finance see smaller rises. Over half of companies don’t link raises to performance. Experts say wage growth is normalizing after post-inflation spikes but remains strong in high-demand fields.

Authorities in Bavaria uncovered 165 tonnes of illegal waste exported by Roth International to the Czech Republic, raising the total to 466 tonnes. The Upper Palatinate government said it will arrange removal and disposal of the waste at its own expense after Roth missed the deadline. Roth International, based near the Czech border, dismantles aircraft and wind turbines. The largest waste site is in Jirikov, northern Moravia. No removal date has been set yet.

Severe storms on Thursday left about 7,400 EG.D customers without electricity Friday morning, mostly in southern and eastern Moravia. CEZ reported 7,800 outages at the storm's peak. Trees falling on lines caused most damage. Railways logged 14 storm-related incidents, with no injuries. Polička and Nová Ves saw the heaviest rainfall. Meteorologists expect calmer weather in the coming days.

During Thursday's EU summit, Czech PM Petr Fiala opposed new 2040 EU climate targets, saying more goals would harm competitiveness. The European Commission is expected to propose a 90 percent CO₂ cut. Fiala also called for changes to ETS2 emission allowances, which could raise household fuel and heating costs. The system, set for 2027, lacks majority support for repeal despite backing from 17 member states.

Events across Czechia on Friday will commemorate 75 years since Milada Horáková’s 1950 execution in a staged communist trial. Ceremonies in Prague, Olomouc, and other cities will honor Horáková and others killed for political reasons. A lawyer and MP, Horáková opposed communism and was the only woman executed in a political trial. Historians say 250 people were executed and over 4,500 died in custody post-1948.

David Pastrňák won the Golden Stick award for top Czech hockey player for the eighth time, organizers announced Wednesday. The Boston Bruins forward led NHL Czech scorers last season. Martin Nečas and Roman Červenka finished second and third. Awards also went to junior captain Eduard Šalé and Kristýna Kaltounková, who recently joined the New York Sirens in the professional women’s hockey league.

About 1.5 million Czech students will receive report cards Friday, marking the end of the school year. Summer vacation begins Saturday, with classes resuming Sept. 1. Education Minister Mikuláš Bek will attend a closing event in Prague. Police are boosting road safety enforcement for the holidays. Roughly 47,000 Ukrainian refugee children also attend Czech schools. Some businesses are offering discounts for good grades.