Czech news in brief for March 5: Wednesday's top headlines

Czech labor unions may declare a state of emergency if the government fails to approve a salary increase by March 25. In an open letter to Labor Minister Marian Jurečka, unions said office budgets cannot cover this year’s planned CZK 1,400 raise. They oppose further layoffs but accept a limited reduction of 250 positions. If demands are unmet, unions will consider a strike to push for wage adjustments. At the beginning of November last year, the management of the labor office announced that it was planning to gradually close 83 of its branches across the Czech Republic.

Czech hotel tech firm Mews raised USD 75 million (around CZK 1.8 billion) from U.S. investor Tiger Global to fuel expansion in North America, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, it has said. The funding will also drive innovation and strategic acquisitions. Mews, a startup unicorn since last year, saw revenue rise 50 percent in 2024. Founder Richard Valtr called Tiger Global the right partner for growth. The company doubled its North American hotel customer base last year.

The Czech Chamber of Deputies passed an amendment today to raise public television and radio fees and link future increases to inflation. Despite opposition protests, the bill also expands the range of payers and exempts disability-focused employers. Households must now pay fees for internet-enabled devices. The measure, which adjusts business fees based on employee count, now moves to the Senate for debate. Czech TV and radio fees will rise to CZK 150 and CZK 55 respectively.

Czech consumer prices rose 2.7 percent year-on-year in February, down from 2.8 percent in January, according to a preliminary estimate by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO). Month-on-month, prices increased by 0.2 percent. Food, alcohol, and tobacco saw a 4.7 percent rise, while energy prices dropped 3.6 percent. The CZSO, which introduced preliminary inflation estimates this year, will release final data on March 11.

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský has announced he will run for the Civic Democrats party in the autumn parliamentary elections under the government’s Together (Spolu) coalition. Prime Minister Petr Fiala has confirmed this development. Formerly with the Pirates, Lipavský left the party last year and remained in government as an unaffiliated minister. He cited security concerns and the need to counter pro-Russian forces as key reasons for his candidacy. Fiala highlighted that he was sure that Lipavský would take very similar positions on key issues.

The Czech lower house has overridden President Petr Pavel’s veto to approve a nearly 7 percent salary increase for top politicians and state officials. The bill, criticized for stagnating judges’ salaries, passed with 102 votes. Opposition parties ANO and SPD warned of a Constitutional Court challenge. The amendment reinstates a salary coefficient and introduces a cap on politicians' salary hikes in economic downturns. The opposition failed to add debate topics, including the Ukraine war and Motol Hospital corruption to the lower house session agenda after five hours of voting.

Victims of sexual abuse in the Church warned MPs against approving a treaty between the Czech Republic and the Vatican, arguing it could undermine state sovereignty. They highlighted the case of Adam Hnida, who alleged abuse by a priest in 2021. The Czech Bishops’ Conference denies the treaty alters Czech law. MPs will vote Thursday, with opposition from Pirates and some STAN and SPD members.

Archaeologists uncovered a unique 14th-century street surface behind the city’s Green Gate in Zelenobranská Street during repair work on a listed landmark. The medieval roadway, featuring wooden reinforcements and ceramic shards, dates to the period when the lords of Pardubice owned the city. Findings also suggest a defensive rampart and deep moat once surrounded the historic core, offering rare insight into medieval urban design elements.

President Petr Pavel welcomed the mayors of Vacov, Palkovice, and Dolní Lhota, the top three winners of the Village of the Year 2024 competition, at Prague Castle. He praised their efforts in making rural life attractive and sustainable. The annual competition, running since 1995, recognizes municipalities that foster strong communities and quality living conditions in the Czech countryside.

The 32nd Days of European Film (DEF) festival will run from April 2-16, presenting acclaimed European fiction, documentary, and animated films in multiple Czech cities. Highlights include When Fall is Coming by François Ozon and Hard Truths by Mike Leigh. Screenings will take place in Prague, Brno, Ostrava, and 11 other cities. The full program is available on the DEF website.