Czech news in brief for May 6: Tuesday's top headlines

The Czech Television Council voted Tuesday to dismiss Director General Jan Soucek, citing violations of public broadcasting law and misconduct. Soucek, who served for one year and seven months of a six-year term, was removed after 15 of 17 council members backed the motion in a secret ballot. He faced criticism for miscommunication, canceling news shows, and failing to report external pressure. Michal Fila will serve as interim head. Prime Minister Petr Fiala urged swift appointment of a successor.

The Prague Spring International Music Festival will debut a new outdoor zone near the Rudolfinum on May 11 and May 12, replacing its traditional Kampa Island opening, organizers announced Monday. The 80th edition of the festival begins May 12 and features over 100 artists from 24 countries. It opens with Smetana’s My Country performed by the Prague Philharmonic and closes June 3 with Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand. The riverside venue will host free events, including a live concert broadcast.

Czech President Petr Pavel and Belgium’s King Philippe honored U.S. forces Sunday by laying wreaths at the Thank You, America! memorial during Plzen’s Liberation Festival. The ceremony marked the 80th anniversary of the city's World War II liberation by American troops, including Belgian volunteers. The event featured a Czech Air Force flyover, a joint military parade, and the unveiling of a plaque honoring Belgian soldiers. Crowds waved national flags as leaders met with veterans and their families.

Czechs will work 157 days to cover public spending in 2025, with Taxpayers’ Day falling on June 6, five days earlier than last year, the Institute of Liberal Studies said Monday. It’s the earliest date since 2020 and reflects reduced government redistribution compared to the pandemic years. The milestone, calculated annually since 2000, marks the point when people stop effectively working for the state and start earning solely for themselves, according to the institute’s expenditure-based methodology.

Czech consumer prices rose 1.8 percent year on year in April, slowing from 2.7 percent in March, the Czech Statistical Office reported Tuesday. This marks the lowest inflation rate since March 2018. Falling fuel costs and milder food price increases drove the decline. Month on month, prices dipped 0.1 percent. Analysts had expected 2.1 percent inflation. The slowdown strengthens expectations that the Czech National Bank may cut its 3.75 percent base interest rate by 0.25 points at its meeting Wednesday.

The Czech Republic will continue training Ukrainian pilots on L-39 and F-16 aircraft, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Prague. The leaders discussed defense, reconstruction, and Czechia's ammunition support initiative. Zelenskiy also met Czech lawmakers. Police confirmed his safe departure, noting no security threats. Czechia has already sent 2,000 heavy weapons and aims to deliver 1.8 million artillery rounds by year-end.

Czech and Ukrainian officials signed a declaration Monday to establish “unity hubs” in Czechia to help Ukrainian refugees return home. The centers will provide legal aid, information, and support for voluntary repatriation to assist Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. The agreement coincided with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Prague. According to the Interior Ministry, 364,600 Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection were living in Czechia as of March.

A paper replica of a WWII barricade was unveiled on Národní třída, commemorating the 1945 Prague Uprising. Created by National Theatre staff, the installation briefly halted traffic and included a Morse code radio reenactment. The original barricade once resisted Nazi forces. This symbolic act is part of wider events marking the uprising’s 80th anniversary, celebrating Czech resistance and educating the public about key wartime moments.

Czech high school graduation tests concluded today with Spanish, German, and Russian exams. Over 80,000 students took part, most choosing English as their second subject. Interest in Russian and German declined, while Spanish held steady. A record number of students—3,730—took the advanced math test. The Czech language exam remains mandatory, while other components have shifted to the school level under reforms implemented in 2020.

The new Popeyes restaurant in Brno, which launched with fanfare and long lines, shut its doors just days later, citing technical issues. The American fried chicken chain had drawn crowds and offered free sandwiches to early fans. Company officials said the closure was temporary and due to unforeseen problems. The fast-food chain promises to reopen shortly, maintaining its goal of high service standards in the Czech market.