Czech news in brief for May 31: Sunday's top afternoon headlines

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš told the Financial Times that Czechia will likely not meet NATO’s 2 percent GDP defense spending target this year, though he said the country remains committed to increasing military investment over time. He also highlighted his close ties to US President Donald Trump as a potential diplomatic advantage.

Wider context: Babiš said Czechia aims to reach a new NATO target of 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035, but argued that alliance discussions should focus more on military capability than fixed spending percentages. NATO allies are expected to confront Trump at an upcoming summit over defence budgets and broader geopolitical tensions.

Czech, German and American visitors were the most frequent tourists in Prague last year, according to data from Prague City Tourism. Domestic travellers remain the largest group, with around 1.6 million visits, making Prague the most popular Czech destination for local holidays for the fourth year in a row.

Where are Prague tourists from? Foreign arrivals were led by Germans and Americans, followed closely by Britons, with rising numbers from Israel, China and Turkey. The city recorded 8.3 million tourists overall, while revenue from the local accommodation tax reached CZK 933 million in 2025.

Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil left for Taiwan on Saturday, saying the trip combines values and practical interests for Czechia, with a delegation of around 50 people including business and university representatives. Vystrčil said Taiwan has created tens of thousands of jobs in Czechia and stressed cooperation in high-value industries, adding that the visit aims to strengthen economic and academic ties despite tensions with China.

Without state support: The government declined to provide a state aircraft for the trip, with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš arguing foreign policy should be pragmatic rather than value-driven.

Meteorologists have issued an upgraded warning for severe storms across most of Bohemia and parts of Moravia, valid until Monday morning, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. The alert includes risks of large hail, heavy rain, and wind gusts reaching up to 90 km/h.

What to know: Intense storms may bring up to 40 mm of rain, causing flash floods and disruption to transport, including fallen trees on roads and railways. Fire risk warnings remain in place in parts of central and northwestern Bohemia, though expected rainfall early next week should reduce the danger.

On this date in 1918, Czech and Slovak expatriate communities in the United States signed the Pittsburgh Agreement, paving the way for the creation of an independent Czechoslovakia. How well do you know First Republic history?