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Czech leaders extended congratulations to Donald Trump on his likely U.S. election victory, with most expressing optimism for continued strong U.S.-Czech and transatlantic relations. President Petr Pavel acknowledged Trump’s win and hopes for ongoing cooperation on global challenges but refrained from speculating on Trump’s future policies toward Ukraine, NATO, and Europe. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party) emphasized the importance of maintaining high-level U.S.-Czech ties. Opposition leader Andrej Babiš (ANO Party) voiced hope that Trump’s victory could bring global peace, while Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (non-partisan) expressed skepticism, anticipating Trump might pressure Europe to take more responsibility for its own defense. Political analysts note Trump’s unpredictability but expect no major shifts in Czech-U.S. relations.
In a speech to Swiss MPs, Czech President Petr Pavel warned that global instability is escalating, with Russian aggression against Ukraine as the leading threat. He highlighted that over 50 nations have provided military aid to Ukraine and expects Czech munitions support to continue, aiming to supply 500,000 artillery shells by year-end. Pavel also praised Switzerland’s support for EU sanctions and reconsideration of arms re-exports. The Ukraine war’s outcome, he emphasized, will shape the international order, warning that weaknesses could encourage China and other states to act on global ambitions.
On Wednesday, Czech MPs will resume discussions on the government’s pension reform, which includes gradually raising the retirement age and adjusting pension calculations to reduce the deficit. With strong opposition criticism, a vote is unlikely. The reform has prompted 30 amendments, including setting the retirement age limit at 67. The coalition is also negotiating early retirement options for physically demanding jobs. In the evening, MPs will fast-track a construction law amendment aimed at overcoming issues in the digitalization of building permits. If passed, project documentation will be submitted digitally, and offices can continue using existing systems.
Czech nominee for EU Commissioner, Jozef Síkela, is set for a hearing Wednesday afternoon with the European Parliament's Development Committee (DEVE). He is expected to primarily address questions regarding his role in overseeing international partnerships. Síkela, a former Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, has prepared intensively, meeting with committee members and heads of associated committees who will also be present. He is likely to address concerns about the EU's Global Gateway strategy, which aims to compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative through investments in infrastructure in emerging regions. DEVE committee members have previously criticized the strategy’s transparency and implementation.
Apartment prices in Prague have risen faster than anticipated, with the average price of new apartments reaching over CZK 160,000 per square meter by the end of September—up 5.4% since January and exceeding Central bank predictions for the entire year. This trend, reported by Central Group, Trigema, and Skanska Residential, shows continued price increases, now in their fourth consecutive quarter. Demand for new housing has surged, currently about 30% higher than pre-pandemic levels, despite only modest declines in mortgage rates. Older apartment prices and rental rates have also increased, with resale prices up 12% year-on-year and average rent rising by 7%.
Thursday should be mostly clear to partly cloudy, with occasional morning fog or drizzle in Bohemia. Daytime high temperatures will range from 8 to 12 °C.
The victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential election has surprised some analysts in both American and international political circles. But how will Czechs be impacted in the years to come from another Trump term? I spoke to the political scientist and author Jiří Pehe to find out what he thinks about the potential impacts on Czechia in trade, security, and foreign policy.
An exhibition dedicated to Czech composer Bedřich Smetana and his most famous piece, the cycle of six symphonic poems entitled My Country, has got underway at Prague’s National Museum. The exhibition, which is part of the Year of Czech Music, commemorates 200 years since the birth of the Czech musical great.
EPU, an app created by the Czech software companies Gatyer and Algodos, and with support from the Ministry of the Environment, aims to offer tourists alternative paths to follow and places to visit. In doing so, EPU seeks to take pressure off certain nature hotspots and literally broaden horizons.
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