Czech news in brief for August 15: Friday's top headlines

Twenty-six electoral groups registered this week to compete in the October Czech parliamentary elections, four more than in 2021. All major parliamentary parties will run, with Together (Spolu) forming a coalition of ODS, KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09. Some minor parties, including the Democratic Green Party, withdrew or limited their regional bids. Voter choice will be highest in Prague with 25 groups and lowest in the Highlands with 18. New and rebranded movements, such as Challenge 2025, also joined the race. The election takes place on Oct. 3-4.

Czech authorities have seized bitcoins donated by convicted darknet operator Tomáš Jiříkovsky, the Justice Ministry said Friday. The ministry is consulting with potential buyers and legal advisers on next steps, but will not challenge the seizure, citing high risk that the funds are proceeds of crime. Under Czech law, police or prosecutors can seize assets linked to criminal activity. The ministry is reviewing an updated timeline of the donation and assessing whether details can be publicly released amid ongoing pretrial proceedings.

The Czech Agriculture Ministry will seek repayment of subsidies granted to Agrofert while its ultimate owner, former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, was in a conflict of interest, Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný said today. The move follows court rulings upholding the conflict finding. Agrofert and Babiš reject the claims, calling them politically motivated ahead of elections. The disputed funds, possibly worth billions of crowns, date from 2017 to 2021 and include both EU- and Czech-funded agricultural grants.

The Czech Tennis Association must return an additional CZK 52.5 million to the state for subsidies misused under former president Ivo Kaderka, bringing its total repayment to more than CZK 77 million, the group said Friday. Financial authorities earlier ordered repayment of nearly CZK 25 million plus fines over 2021 tournament finances. Current president Jakub Kotrba called the situation serious and said the group may need to pawn, but not sell, the national tennis court on Prague’s Štvanice island.

Summary: Czech police are conducting raids in a bitcoin case linked to billions donated by convicted drug dealer Tomáš Jiřikovský to the Ministry of Justice. Authorities suspect money laundering and drug trafficking. An audit found the ministry should not have accepted the donation due to crime-related risks. The scandal has prompted calls for the resignations of top officials, including Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura.

Prague Airport will reopen its main runway Friday after 4.5 months of reconstruction that included resurfacing, new lighting, and a new aircraft exit. Traffic has been using a secondary runway, altering flight paths over nearby towns. The work also added a new footbridge over the D7 highway. The airport thanked residents for patience, noting a parallel runway is the long-term solution.

Meteorologists have upgraded heat alerts to orange in parts of Bohemia and Moravia, warning of 34–37°C temperatures Thursday and Friday. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said the very high temperatures will increase fire risk. A cooldown is expected Saturday as a cold front moves in, with highs above 31°C persisting only in southern and central Moravia.

Transport Minister Martin Kupka will decide in mid-September whether to replace or restore Prague’s historic Výtoň railway bridge, alongside a plan of action. UNESCO has urged preservation, citing the bridge’s contribution to the city’s river panorama. A restoration plan backed by heritage groups proposes adding a third track with minimal disruption. The 1872 riveted steel bridge is in poor condition due to corrosion.

Summary: Author Dan Brown will present his new novel, The Secret of All Secrets, at Prague’s Lucerna on Sept. 18. The book, featuring Robert Langdon, begins in Prague before moving to London and New York. Published in Czech and English, it includes local references and a Charles Bridge-inspired cover. Netflix is developing a series based on the novel, out Sept. 9.

Summary: Ice cream sales in Czechia have jumped 40–50% week-on-week as high temperatures return, reversing July’s slump, retailers said. Popsicles and cones lead sales, with sorbets less popular. Ice cream maker sales are also up nearly 20% year-on-year in August, with growing interest in compressor models. Meteorologists forecast 31–35°C through Friday before a weekend cooldown.