Czech news in brief for March 22: Sunday's top afternoon headlines

Police in Pardubice have completed their investigation of the LPP Holding arms factory fire that broke out Friday morning. The building, including a warehouse and nearby administrative structure, was returned to the owner. Authorities are treating the fire as a suspected terrorist act and are examining four possible causes, all with suspected intent. Experts from the National Centre Against Terrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime, along with Czech intelligence services, continue to assist with the investigation.

Experts say raising Czech defence spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035, as NATO allies agreed, is economically feasible but requires political will. Analysts highlight that 3.5 percent should target core defence, while the remaining 1.5 percent covers broader areas. Short-term priorities include modernisation and infrastructure, with personnel costs rising over time. This year’s budget plans 1.7 percent of GDP for defence, potentially exceeding 2 percent with additional ministry projects.

The Chamber of Deputies will vote next week on a coalition proposal to reduce self-employed contributions to last year’s level, lowering the assessment base from 40 percent to 35 percent of the average wage and cutting the minimum advance payment from CZK 5,720 to CZK 5,005. The meeting will also address redistribution of CZK 7.9 billion CZK from VZP to smaller insurers.

If elections were held now, ANO would win decisively with 34.2 percent support, nearly matching last year’s result, according to a STEM poll for CNN Prima News. STAN would come second with 13.3 percent, followed by ODS at 12.2 percent. The Pirates and SPD would also enter parliament, while coalition partner Motorists (4.8 percent), along with TOP 09 (3.1 percent), would fall below the 5 percent threshold required for seats in the lower chamber.

The Czech Directorate of Waterways has introduced a new hybrid service tanker on the Vltava in Prague to support small recreational vessels. Arriving from the Netherlands this month, the tanker will enter full service in May, replacing a 1998 vessel. It enables refueling and features plug-in hybrid technology for fully electric operation in city areas. Recent upgrades to river infrastructure, including new marinas and waiting areas, aim to boost recreational navigation on the Vltava.