Czech news in brief for June 9: Tuesday's top morning headlines

Czech Television employees are preparing a warning strike for later this month to protest a government plan to fund the public broadcaster directly from the state budget. Also this morning: a toast-bread scandal pops up and Prague Pride announces a major logistical overhaul for its August festival. Good morning, here’s your morning news mix:

Employees of Czech Television are planning a warning strike on June 22 to voice opposition against a government proposal altering public media financing. The strike allows participation from any worker within the television station, and the broadcaster management stated they will not prevent the protest from taking place. Employees who wish to join the strike must register with the strike committee.

Some context: The ruling coalition agreed to replace a previous draft bill with a brand new law by Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř that transitions public media funding entirely to the state budget. Public television and radio management firmly reject the budget-linked model, fearing potential reductions in funding that could drop television revenues by CZK one billion.

Detectives from the National Central for Combating Organized Crime have proposed fraud charges against the Zelená louka bakery, a business belonging to the Agrofert conglomerate. The investigation focuses on a European subsidy worth CZK 100 million meant for an innovative toast bread production line. European prosecutor Adam Bašný is currently supervising and reviewing the case file.

Why this is big: The police recommendation to file an indictment marks a significant development in a long-running probe into misuse of European funds within large domestic agricultural holdings.

A new poll shows that 93 percent of people agree that flexible hours and part-time contracts are the most effective forms of family support. The survey by the Public Opinion Research Centre found that half of the population believes state assistance for families with children is sufficient, while two-fifths view government support as inadequate.

By the numbers: Support for a simplified social assistance benefit, known as the super-benefit, reached 50 percent, while 49 percent of respondents backed a flat-rate child allowance, and 50 percent rejected free school lunches for all children.

The Prague Pride festival will relocate its primary Saturday Pride Park from Letenská pláň to Štvanice island for its 18th annual edition this August. The central parade route on Saturday will also adjust, starting at the bottom of Wenceslas Square and heading through the old town before moving along the Vltava river via Hlávkův most to reach the island. Festival director Kamila Fröhlichová stated that the island provides a more intimate, green, and safe community environment for queer participants and allies.

Mark your calendar: The festival takes place from August 3 to August 9 under the motto "Times are changing" and features more than 100 individual cultural and human rights events.

Pet owners across the country will face mandatory registration rules as the state launches its new Central Dog Evidence registry. Dog owners must ensure their pets are officially recorded in the national system through an authorized professional.

What to expect: Starting July 1, owners must register their dogs through a veterinarian, who will input microchip details, and failure to comply carries a maximum fine of CZK 300,000.

Power player Renáta Kellnerová, majority shareholder of the PPF group, tops the 2026 Forbes list of the most influential women in Czechia. Her telecom holdings alone generate billions in profits, representing a third of the wealth co-managed with her daughters.

A steamy night The Prague-Klementinum weather station recorded a temperature that did not drop below 20 degrees Celsius overnight before a cold front arrived, marking the very first tropical night recorded this year.

Big names at KVIFF Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jesse Eisenberg will receive the President's Award at this year's Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, running July 3–11.