Czech news in brief for March 11: Tuesday's top headlines

The Czech crown strengthened Tuesday, reaching EUR 1: CZK 24.97 and USD 1: CZK 22.86, its best level since October. Analysts attribute the gains to a weakening U.S. dollar and optimism over Germany’s economic outlook. The Prague Stock Exchange dipped slightly, with the PX index (the main stock market index of the Prague Stock Exchange) down 0.08 percent to 2,004.43 points. Energy firm ČEZ saw gains, but banking stocks declined. Global markets remain tense amid U.S. tariff concerns and potential trade conflicts with the EU.

The European Commission unveiled a proposal Tuesday to accelerate the deportation of failed asylum seekers, aiming to improve efficiency and security. Czech MEPs welcomed the plan but urged stronger measures to ensure third countries accept deportees. Currently, only about 20 percent of those ordered to leave the EU are deported. The proposal includes return centers outside the EU. Commissioner Magnus Brunner emphasized balancing security with human rights in migration policies.

The opposition Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party will not attend Thursday’s security and defense meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala, leader Tomio Okamura announced. He cited irreconcilable policy differences, opposing increased military spending. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan called the move short-sighted. The government plans to raise defense spending to 3 percent of GDP by 2030. Other parties, including the Pirates, will participate in the discussions.

Czech employers expect to hire more workers than they lay off in the second quarter, according to a Manpower survey of 525 companies released Tuesday. While 31 percent plan to expand staff, 20 percent anticipate job cuts, leaving a net employment outlook of 11 percentage points, unchanged from Q1. ManpowerGroup Czech Republic CEO Jaroslava Rezlerová noted seasonal factors and online unemployment registration may impact the market, but hiring optimism remains steady despite economic uncertainties.

German company Roth International denied responsibility for illegally dumping waste in Czechia, stating it relied on a Czech subcontractor. Czech authorities found over 317 tonnes of waste at multiple sites. Prosecutors in Germany are investigating possible violations of waste laws. The company insists its waste declarations were correct and expects the case to be dropped. Czech officials seek the waste’s return, while Bavarian lawmakers demand a swift investigation.

President Petr Pavel emphasized the importance of a strong alliance with the U.S. while preparing Europe for potential self-reliance in defense. After a meeting with Czech leaders on March 10, Pavel stressed the need to strengthen national and EU defense capabilities. He also reiterated support for Ukraine, ensuring peace does not reward aggression. Prime Minister Petr Fiala confirmed the Czech Republic’s commitment to purchasing F-35 jets.

Onsemi, the U.S. semiconductor manufacturer, will lay off 170 workers across its Czech operations, including 149 at its Rožnov pod Radhoštěm plant, with layoffs expected in April. The company cited pressure on work efficiency and cost reduction as reasons for the cuts, which will affect various professions. Despite the layoffs, Onsemi's planned billion-dollar investment in Rožnov remains unaffected and is expected to receive government support.

Hundreds of people were evacuated in Brno on March 10 after an unexploded 50-kilo aerial bomb was found on a construction site near the Bohunice housing estate. Police evacuated residents from eight buildings, and the bomb was safely deactivated by 8 p.m. Authorities set up an evacuation center, but no one used it. Traffic, including public transport, was diverted until services resumed later that evening.

A 53-year-old Czech man died while skiing in the Austrian Alps on March 10, the APA news agency reported. The incident occurred in Styria after the skier, accompanied by his wife and son, left a marked slope and ran into a snow hill. He lost control, fell, and suffered a head injury. Despite efforts from two ski mountaineers and a helicopter doctor, the man could not be saved.

The Genghis Khan exhibition opens today at the National Museum’s Pantheon, featuring rare artifacts from Mongolia's Genghis Khan National Museum and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. Czech President Petr Pavel and Mongolian President Uchnagin Chürelsüch will attend, marking the event with a signed agreement for a loan of paleontological finds. The exhibition, running until June 22, explores the life of the legendary conqueror and his empire.