News: Wednesday, February 26th, 2025

Vít Pohanka

Former Prague-Motol hospital director Ludvík remanded in custody

A Prague court has placed former Motol University Hospital director Miloslav Ludvík in custody over corruption charges, citing all three legal grounds for detention, said his lawyer Josef Monsport. The hospital is one of the most prominent medical institutions in Czechia and Miloslav Ludvík is a former Minister of Health for Social Democrats. He was escorted away after three hours of court hearing without commenting on the charges. It is unclear whether he will appeal the ruling, which would not have a suspensive effect. Prosecutors requested his detention over concerns he might continue criminal activity, influence witnesses, or evade.

Gazprom ordered to pay Kc1bn to CEZ for reduced gas supplies

Russia’s Gazprom must pay over Kc1bn to Czech energy group CEZ for cutting agreed gas supplies in 2022, according to an arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), CEZ spokesman Ladislav Kriz said. CEZ initiated arbitration in Geneva last year after Gazprom failed to meet contractual obligations. The dispute arose following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent EU sanctions. If Gazprom does not comply, CEZ plans to enforce the ruling.

Czech FM Lipavský visits Israel, opens NATO liaison office

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (non-partisan) is visiting Israel where he meets his counterpart Gideon Saar and likely Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His trip runs until Thursday. Lipavský will officially launch the NATO liaison office at the Czech Embassy in Israel and meet with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and President Isaac Herzog. On Thursday, he will speak with families of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, before holding talks with Saar. This is Lipavský’s second visit to Israel since the Hamas attack.

Property prices in Czechia rose by 10.7% in 2023, sales up by 34%

Real estate prices in Czechia increased by an average of nearly 11 % in 2024, while property sales surged by 34%, and new developments saw a 51% rise, according to data from the Czech Banking Association and Flat Zone. The market is rapidly returning to pre-crisis levels after a sharp downturn in 2022. Older apartment prices rose by 10% nationwide and 18% in Prague. New builds grew at a slower pace, averaging 8% nationally and 9% in Prague. Housing demand remains highest in Prague, Brno, and Central Bohemia, but slow construction continues to limit supply.

Government allocates first funds for affordable rental housing program

The Czech government has released the first CZK 900 million for its affordable rental housing program, Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party) announced. The initiative aims to increase housing availability, particularly for young families and essential workers. The State Investment Support Fund will distribute the funds as loans for specific projects. In total, the government plans to allocate CZK 7 billion to the program.

Government approves crisis support program for farmers

The government has approved a new program to support farmers during crises and unexpected events, such as floods. The Agricultural and Forestry Support and Guarantee Fund (PGRLF) will allocate between CZK 100 million and CZK 300 million annually, targeting small and medium-sized farms. The Ministry of Agriculture will determine when to activate the program based on current conditions. The program aims to reduce interest burdens on operational loans used for primary agricultural production. Farmers will be able to apply through an online form once the ministry finalizes the launch date.

Czechs trust Zelensky more than Putin, Slovaks the opposite, survey finds

A February survey by NMS Market Research shows that Czechs trust Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky more than Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Slovaks tend to trust Putin more. However, the majority in both countries distrust both leaders. In the Czech Republic, 32% expressed confidence in Zelensky, compared to 23% in Slovakia. Putin is trusted by only 11% of Czechs but enjoys 28% support in Slovakia. The most trusted politicians in both countries are their presidents—Petr Pavel has 50% trust in the Czech Republic, while Slovak President Peter Pellegrini is trusted by 46% of Slovaks.

Weather

Cloudy to overcast, temporarily partly cloudy in Bohemia. Temperature highs of 4 to 8°C.

Czechia’s largest hospital embroiled in massive fraud scandal

Motol University Hospital, the largest medical facility in Czechia, has found itself at the centre of a serious anti-corruption operation by Czech police. Seventeen people have been accused so far, among them the hospital’s director, Miloslav Ludvík, who was dismissed from the position by Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek on the day that the operation began.

Jews gather in Moravian town of Holešov to honor Rabbi Shach’s legacy

Dozens of observant Jews will soon gather in the small South Moravian town of Holešov to honor Rabbi Shabtai ha-Kohen, or Shakh, on the anniversary of his death, more than three centuries ago. I spoke with Jakub Schwab, a tour guide and cantor in Brno, to understand what makes Shakh so important to the Orthodox Jewish community.

Czech diplomacy Down Under: Jana Tyrer on her career and role as Czechia’s ambassador to Australia

Sent out from the heart of Europe, Czechia’s diplomats represent the country all over the world, including on the far side of the globe. As part of our new series on Czech Women Pioneers, we take a look at Czechia’s female ambassadors, who may still be breaking new ground today in their respective missions to different countries. The first women only began to be appointed to the high office after the fall of communism, such as the first female ambassador to the United States, Rita Klímová, who took up the role in 1990. Now following in her footsteps is Her Excellency Jana Tyrer, who currently serves as the Czech ambassador to Australia. Born and educated in Moravia, many career steps have led the ambassador from Přerov to Canberra, where she now leads Czech diplomatic relations not only with Australia, but also with New Zealand and several Pacific Islands Countries. She took us through the tasks of her daily work, and also discussed some of the challenges that women may face in the world of diplomacy.

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