Czech news in brief for March 7: Friday's top headlines

Tulips and roses are now the top choices for International Women’s Day (IWD) flowers, though carnations remain popular, Czech florists say. The Belles Fleurs chain ranks carnations third in sales, behind tulips and roses, with demand shifting toward varied colors. Online grocer Rohlík.cz reports stronger tulip sales. Florists expect a 10 percent drop in sales due to IWD falling on a Saturday. High energy costs also impacted flower production, though prices are stabilizing with warmer weather.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Friday it is premature to discuss sending Czech troops to Ukraine, emphasizing that strengthening Ukraine’s military is the best path to peace. Speaking after a European leaders’ summit on Ukraine’s future, Fiala stated that troop deployment should only be considered after a ceasefire. He acknowledged various troop involvement scenarios but dismissed the debate as unnecessary without broader consensus. His remarks align with European efforts to support Ukraine without direct military intervention.

A controversial amendment raising the salaries of top politicians and state officials by nearly 7 percent retroactively took effect today in the Czech Republic. Judges’ salaries, however, will remain frozen in 2025, sparking potential challenges before the Constitutional Court. The Chamber of Deputies overrode President Petr Pavel's veto, who criticized the retroactive effect and the law's handling of last year’s court ruling on judges' pay. The new law adjusts salaries based on the national average wage.

The Czech government will propose a law to speed up the deportation of illegally staying foreigners and discourage migration. Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced the plan, which includes tighter asylum seeker controls, expanded medical screenings, and faster court proceedings. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan stated the law will streamline deportation processes and prevent expelled individuals from applying for asylum. Courts will also consider deportation for foreigners convicted of crimes.

The District Court for Prague 5 sentenced Emerich Drtina, director of the publishing house Naše vojsko, to a three-year suspended sentence for selling Nazi-themed merchandise, including mugs, T-shirts, and paintings. Drtina was also fined CZK 288,000, and the publishing house received a CZK 720,000 fine. The court ruled he violated laws against promoting movements that suppress human rights. Drtina, who denied guilt, faces up to 10 years in prison, but the crime's long duration resulted in a reduced sentence.

Czech President Petr Pavel told Czech Television that the world order is set for significant changes, including shifts in the EU, NATO, and UN. He urged Europe to rely less on the U.S., unify its economic and military power, and counter Russian threats. Pavel warned against defeatism, citing Finland as a model, and stressed that Europe must adapt quickly to changing U.S. foreign policy. Read the full interview here.

Politicians and the public will commemorate the 175th anniversary of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Czechoslovakia’s first president, today. President Petr Pavel and Senate Chairman Miloš Vystrčil will honor Masaryk at his grave in Lány. Ceremonies will also occur in Prague, Pilsen, Olomouc, and other cities. The Masaryk Museum in Hodonín will display a special writing set used by Masaryk.

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech initiative "Gift for Putin" raised over 24 million crowns in five days for Ukrainian defense, organizers announced Wednesday. The surge follows a halt in U.S. arms aid after a White House dispute between Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump. Funds will help purchase a Black Hawk helicopter and other military supplies. Since 2022, the initiative has raised nearly 1 billion crowns for Ukraine.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Interior Minister Vít Rakušan will outline measures to curb illegal migration, including tighter asylum and return policies. Frontex data shows that in 2024, illegal EU border crossings fell 38 percent to 239,000. The Czech Republic detained 420 illegal migrants, a 90 percent drop from 2023. The EU is considering stricter deportation rules, but they must comply with international law.

Saharan dust is set to reach Central Europe this weekend, causing haze, colorful sunsets, and lower-than-expected temperatures. A cold front on Tuesday may bring "blood rain," where dust mixes with precipitation, leaving orange-brown stains on surfaces. The phenomenon, driven by southerly winds, occurs several times a year as African sandstorms lift particles into the atmosphere and carry them northward.