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Summary for: Czech news in brief for March 16: Monday's top afternoon headlines
Motorist Party wants voluntary military training
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Motorist Party wants voluntary military training
The Motorist Party, a junior member of the ruling coalition, wants to introduce a three-month voluntary military training program, Novinky.cz reported. Although others have expressed their support for such a change, this wasn't part of the coalition's program statement, and it's unclear how it would be funded. Mandatory military service in the Czech Republic was abolished in 2004.
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Dvorecký Bridge to open next month in Prague
The new Dvorecký Bridge, which is now being completed to connect Prague 4 and 5 over the Vltava, will officially open for regular public transport, pedestrians and cyclists on April 18. A ceremonial opening will take place the day before. Tram lines 20 and 21 should cross the bridge, which has been under construction since 2022 and faced multiple delays.
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Czech banks' profits increase by CZK 5 billion
The total net profits of banks in the Czech Republic has increased by over CZK 5 billion annually to reach CZK 127 billion in 2025, according to the latest figures released by the Czech National Bank (ČNB). This is roughly twice as much as just five years ago. Analysts have mostly welcomed the data, saying they corresponded to the overall better health of the Czech economy since last year.
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Magnesia Literary award nominees announced
Nominees for the Magnesia Literary awards were announced this morning at the Václav Havel Library in Prague, with final winners to be revealed on April 18. Nominees for Czechia's most prestigious literary prize include an 'encyclopedia of mischief' by artist Kateřina Šedá, a novel full of 'magical realism' by Berlin-based Dora Kaprálová or a collection of short stories by Magdaléna Platzová.
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Prague politician receives decapitated boar's head
The deputy-mayor of Prague Jana Komrsková (for the Pirates) said on X that one of her advisors dealing with corruption cases received the severed head of a wild boar at this house. Police are investigating the mafia-like incident, widely seen as a threat and attempt at intimidation, and are trying to identify and locate the perpetrator.
POLL RESULTS: We asked readers what they thought about the film Mr. Nobody Against Putin, a Czech-Danish production that just won the Oscar for Best Documentary. A majority (84 percent) hasn't seen it yet, with exactly half of those planning to. An additional 15 percent loved the movie, and 1 percent didn't find it interesting.
