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politics Pavel sets Czech elections for Oct. 3–4
Czech President Petr Pavel has announced that parliamentary elections will be held Oct. 3–4, the latest possible legal date. Parties must submit candidate lists by July 29, and foreign Czechs will be allowed postal voting for the first time. The opposition ANO party leads current polls. After the vote, Pavel says he’ll appoint the candidate most likely to win parliamentary support to form the next government.
In memoriam Bartoška to remain KVIFF president in memorial
Following the death of longtime Karlovy Vary Film Festival president Jiří Bartoška, the festival will honor him by keeping his title in memoriam. Executive director Krystof Mucha will assume leadership. Bartoška, credited with revitalizing the event, has led KVIFF since 1994. This year’s festival will proceed as planned, running July 4–12, and will honor editorJiří Brožek and classic American actor John Garfield.
crime Red Army statue in Prerov vandalized again
A Soviet-era Red Army memorial in Prerov has been vandalized with a red “Z” symbol, linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—the second such incident in three years. Mayor Petr Vrana condemned the act and called it barbaric. The monument has stirred debate since 2022, with unsuccessful attempts by residents and opposition members to have it removed, citing its link to Communist oppression.
sports Czechia eyes Tour de France stage bid
Prime Minister Petr Fiala says Czechia is ready to host the Tour de France’s Grand Départ and is open to future bids for major sporting events, including the UEFA Euro. Fiala praised the country’s sporting track record and its improving infrastructure. A new stadium in Prague could bolster Czechia’s case, though a government change is likely after October’s parliamentary elections.
energy EDF denies disrupting Czech nuclear project
French energy firm EDF said it never aimed to disrupt Czechia’s nuclear program after a court blocked a deal with Korea’s KHNP. EDF insists its actions comply with EU law, raising concerns over subsidies in the KHNP bid. Czech PM Petr Fiala dismissed a letter from a French EU commissioner urging a delay. CEZ head Daniel Beneš criticized the move as a threat to energy development.
Diplomacy President invites new Pope Leo XIV to Czechia
Czech President Petr Pavel congratulated newly elected Pope Leo XIV and invited him to visit Czechia. In his message, Pavel expressed hope for the Pope’s moral leadership and praised his advocacy for peace and justice. American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV following Pope Francis's death in April. The Pope has called for peace in Ukraine and Gaza.
Economy Unemployment holds at 4.3 percent in April
Unemployment in the Czech Republic remained at 4.3 percent in April, unchanged from March and marking the highest April rate since 2017. Despite increasing seasonal job openings, weak industrial performance prevented a decline. The number of job seekers fell slightly to 318,540, while vacancies rose to 95,798. Labor officials emphasized the need for continuous education and retraining to address the growing skills mismatch.
Technology AI group issues election ethics guidelines
The Czech Association of Artificial Intelligence has released a code of ethics for AI use in political campaigns. The guidelines stress transparency, human oversight, and privacy protection. Authored by political scientist Premysl Rosulek, the code encourages labeling AI-generated content and limiting manipulation. The initiative comes ahead of the autumn general election, aiming to ensure credible and responsible AI usage in public discourse.
Culture Prague Spring opens at Smetana's grave
The Prague Spring music festival opened with a traditional tribute at Bedřich Smetana’s grave, followed by a performance of his My Country by the Czech Philharmonic under Semyon Bychkov. The event at Vyšehrad cemetery included brass fanfares and a children’s choir. President Petr Pavel will attend the opening concert. The international festival honors Smetana annually, marking the legacy of the iconic Czech composer.
RIP Farewell to Bartoška set for May 20
A public farewell for late actor Jiří Bartoška will be held on May 20 at Prague’s Rudolfinum. The longtime president of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival died May 8 at 78. Visitors may pay respects from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festival organizers say this year’s edition will proceed as planned. Bartoška was widely praised for revitalizing the Czech film festival and for his decades-long acting career.
Society Heavy drinkers drive alcohol consumption
Just 20 percent of Czech drinkers consume over two-thirds of the country’s alcohol, experts said Monday. Speaking at a Chamber of Deputies seminar, they warned of high social and health costs, including 8,000 deaths yearly. Experts called for targeted alcohol policy reforms, including tax breaks for low-alcohol drinks and tighter sales restrictions. They criticized the cultural tolerance of alcohol and urged education and regulation.
