Czech news in brief for May 24: Sunday's top morning headlines

Good morning, this is your Morning Mix. We start the day with growing concern over the economic outlook, as inflation forecasts in Czechia are being revised upward again, with analysts pointing to rising global energy prices and renewed pressure on household budgets. In sports Czechia edged out Slovakia 3–2 in a tense Ice Hockey World Championship clash in Switzerland.

Inflation forecasts in Czechia are rising again as institutions including the Ministry of Finance and the Banking Association now predict this year’s rate to be at around 2.5 percent, with further increases possible above 3 percent next year. The shift is linked to higher global energy prices driven by conflict in the Middle East, which is feeding through into domestic costs.

Key details: The Czech National Bank says it is prepared to keep interest rates higher for longer, with Governor Aleš Michl warning that tightening could continue even at the cost of slower economic growth. Critics, including Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, argue that high rates are unnecessarily burdening households through expensive mortgages and lending conditions.

Wider context: Czech inflation has swung sharply in recent years, from near zero a decade ago to more than 15 percent during the post-pandemic and energy crisis peak. Economists warn that secondary effects from rising fuel and commodity prices, including transport and food costs, could push inflation further in the coming months, while public deficit policy remains another key risk factor.

Czechia defeated Slovakia 3–2 at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Switzerland on Saturday night in a tense game marked by repeated clashes and penalties. Slovak forwards Martin and Kristián Pospíšil played a central role in the physical exchanges, while Czech captain Roman Červenka scored a key goal in a disciplined team performance.

Next up for Czechia: Now 4-1 at the World Championship, Czechia will finish preliminary play with games against Norway on Monday and Canada on Tuesday before the quarterfinals begin next weekend.

Experts are warning that the Czech government’s planned transfer of several agendas from the Government Office to ministries could weaken policies on Roma education, drug prevention, and mental health. Critics say the changes, approved by the cabinet earlier in the week, may complicate coordination between ministries and risk undermining efforts to tackle school segregation.

What's at stake: Advocates warn the move could affect Czechia’s response to long-running EU concerns over discrimination against Roma pupils, a case already under infringement proceedings. The transfers, due to take effect in July, were approved without broader expert consultation and have also been criticized by the ombudsman and children’s ombudsman.

More than 230 runners took part in the Run for Memory of Nations event in Olomouc on Saturday, raising around CZK 70,000 to document stories of people who lived through major moments in Czech history. The charity race in Smetana Gardens included family runs, relays, and five- and 10-kilometer routes.

What it supports: Proceeds will support the recording of eyewitness testimonies in the Olomouc and Zlín regions, along with educational projects and aid for former political prisoners and dissidents.

Czechia recorded its first tropical day of 2026 on Saturday, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius at the Doksany weather station in the Elbe region, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Similar high readings were also reported in parts of western Bohemia, where temperatures approached the 30-degree mark.

Will the heat wave last? Temperatures are expected to remain high through the weekend and into next week, with daytime highs mostly ranging between 25 and 29 degrees and up to 31 degrees in western parts of Bohemia.