Czech news in brief for November 27: Wednesday's top headlines

Interior Minister Vít Rakušan announced the government’s decision not to appoint a national coordinator for euro adoption, despite his party's movement’s push for the role. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura emphasized that joining the ERM II mechanism should be brief and tied to an indicative eurozone entry date. Stanjura noted broader social or political consensus is needed before adopting the euro. A government agency's analysis highlighted structural reforms as more critical than euro adoption for Czech economic prosperity.

Minister for Digitization and Labor Minister Marian Jurečka announced that most agendas in the Czech Republic will be handled electronically by 2025. The Czech Social Security Administration and 95 percent of Labor Ministry agendas will be digitized, while an expanded Interior Ministry portal will offer 114 services by February. Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized the Czech Republic’s digitization progress, and Interior Minister Vít Rakušan confirmed eDocuments, including driving licenses, will soon replace physical IDs.

The European Parliament approved the new European Commission with 370 votes, allowing it to begin on December 1. Czechia gains a key role, as former Minister of Industry and Trade Josef Síkelá will oversee international partnerships. The 27-member commission, chaired by Ursula von der Leyen, faces challenges including strengthening EU defense, managing illegal migration, and boosting competitiveness. Also, members of European Parliament today approved the EU budget for 2025. 

Prague fire brigade spokesman Vojtěch Sosna reported that Tuesday’s fire at Prague’s National Theater caused damage worth about CZK 10 million. The fire originated in staffroom areas, spreading through a riser carrying water and heat, where construction waste was burning. Thick smoke emerged around 3 p.m., prompting a second-level (medium) alert. Prague police, led by spokesman Jan Daněk, have opened a criminal investigation into potential negligence. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Liberec police spokesman Vojtěch Robovský reported the arrest of four Czechs linked to a methamphetamine lab in Hainewalde, Germany, following joint Czech-German investigations. German police detained two men, aged 35 and 59, in a meth lab, while Czech police caught the "cook's" son and a courier with drugs at a Czech train station. A Polish courier supplied materials. Two suspects are in custody, with charges carrying up to 12 years in prison.

Czech Labor Minister Marian Jurečka announced a revised plan to close around 60 Labor Office branches, down from the originally planned 83. Offices in larger municipalities will remain open temporarily, while closures will focus on smaller towns. The changes follow discussions with Labor Office leadership and aim to ensure service continuity until post offices can handle benefit applications. The optimization process, linked to digitization, will continue through 2025.

A fire broke out at Prague's National Theatre this afternoon, originating in a technical shaft, according to officials. Firefighters extinguished the blaze after evacuating around 100 employees. One person suffered minor smoke inhalation but was not hospitalized. Thick smoke prompted a swift response, with a dozen firefighting units on-site. The auditorium and stage remain unharmed, and Thursday's premiere of Scheherazade is still expected to proceed.

Czech holding company Czechoslovak Group (CSG) will acquire U.S.-based Kinetic Group, a leading small-caliber ammunition manufacturer, from Vista Outdoor for USD 2.2 billion (CZK 53 billion). The deal, approved by Vista shareholders, will finalize on Nov. 27. CSG aims to expand its footprint in the U.S. defense and civilian markets. The acquisition aligns with CSG’s strategy to bolster its ammunition production alongside its aerospace, automotive, and defense ventures.

A private Cessna Citation C-525B carrying five passengers, including a patient, made an emergency landing at Prague's Vaclav Havel Airport on Monday due to landing gear issues, Zdopravy.cz reported. Arriving flights were briefly delayed. The plane, en route from Finland to Austria, landed safely with firefighter assistance. Airport spokeswoman Denisa Hejtmánková confirmed the emergency declaration. No injuries were reported.

Atletico Madrid crushed Sparta Prague 6-0 in a Champions League match in Prague, marking Sparta's heaviest European defeat since 1970. Sparta, last season's Czech league champion, has struggled, losing its third consecutive Champions League game and failing to win any of its last five domestic league matches. Currently ranked 28th of 36 teams, Sparta faces Feyenoord, Inter Milan, and Leverkusen in its remaining group matches.