Czech news in brief for May 14: Wednesday's top headlines

Prague aims to ease city center congestion by promoting new pilgrimage trails honoring St. Ludmila and St. Vintir. The routes, highlighted by Prague City Tourism and local districts, are designed to attract both domestic and international visitors. The Ludmila Trail spans from Mělník to Tetín, while the Vintir Trail connects Germany to Prague’s Břevnov Monastery. A dedicated website with maps and saint info will be launched in July.

A new STEM/MARK survey finds that 72 percent of Czech adults under 64 consider themselves optimists, with the highest share in the 30–44 age group. Fewer young people under 29 identify as optimistic. The survey also shows optimism is more common among those with higher education and income. While pessimism tends to stem from life events, researchers said optimism is often a conscious choice.

Montenegro has frozen assets linked to Pavel Budinsky, ex-deputy director of Prague’s Motol hospital, over an EU subsidy fraud case, RFE/RL reported Tuesday. The move, requested by the EPPO, includes a villa and company shares in Tivat. Costa Rica has also blocked properties linked to Budinsky, who figures in five firms holding 15 properties in Guanacaste, according to the Czech server Odkryto.cz.

EU citizens living in Czechia will soon be allowed to join Czech political parties, following a draft law approved by the lower house. The change responds to an EU court ruling deeming the old rule discriminatory. The law now awaits Senate review and President Petr Pavel’s signature. Restrictions remain: only Czech citizens may lead parties or propose new ones. The membership rule takes effect upon publication.

Reconstruction of Prague’s historic Libeň Bridge began Tuesday, with the first stage set to last until early 2027 and cost CZK 425 million. Officials say the 1.2 km bridge, built in 1928, is vital for connecting city districts. The full project, which includes public spaces and improved transit, is planned in four phases. Some opposition leaders criticized the city for delays and increased costs before work began.

The Czech national hockey team is preparing to face Hungary on Thursday as the Ice Hockey World Championship enters its sixth day. Group B games today include USA vs. Norway and Denmark vs. Kazakhstan. Germany leads the group, followed by defending champions Czechia. Group A in Stockholm sees Slovakia vs. France and Sweden vs. Latvia. Canada and Sweden lead Group A with full points.

The Czech Foreign Ministry says Russia has no legal claim to the removed statue of Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev. Responding to a diplomatic note, officials said the memorial isn’t a war grave or protected site. The statue was removed from Prague 6 in 2020 and is now with the Twentieth Century Memorial Museum. A new Prague Uprising monument is planned for the square by 2028.

Czech MEP Filip Turek admitted to driving over 200 km/h on the D5 motorway after posting a speedometer photo. Though he claimed the photo was taken in Germany, critics said it was on Czech soil. Police are investigating the speeding and Turek photographing while driving. Turek previously said he drives up to 300 km/h in Germany. Other Czech politicians have also faced backlash for road safety violations.

A court released businessman Petr Kysucan from custody in the Motol University Hospital corruption case. Kysucan was among five held since February, accused of bribery and subsidy fraud tied to a 4.5 billion-crown cancer center. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is supervising the case. Eighteen people face charges, including former hospital director Miloslav Ludvik and deputy Pavel Budinsky, who allegedly took bribes from contractors.