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

The Czech state cannot compel companies to register real, beneficial owners or impose sanctions until the law is amended, Deputy Supreme Court Chairman Petr Šuk said Wednesday. The decision follows earlier rulings by the Supreme Administrative Court citing conflicts with EU law, particularly regarding privacy and personal data protection. Currently, registered data is publicly accessible online, which contradicts a European Court of Justice ruling.

Czechia and the EU depend heavily on China for critical raw materials essential to green energy and the zero-emission transition, experts told Czech media today. Analysts warn that Czechia's vulnerability lies mainly in refining capacity, crucial for wind turbines, batteries, and other green technologies. The country also needs lithium, cobalt, nickel, solar panels, batteries, and semiconductors. While deposits exist elsewhere, China dominates processing, controlling up to 90 percent of global rare-earth refining and nearly all lithium and rare-earth supply to the EU.

The Czech government has drafted its fourth anti-bureaucracy package, introducing around 36 regulatory amendments, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said this afternoon. Measures include simplifying waste registration, ending the requirement for employers to notify trade unions of new contracts, and extending the validity of children’s medical fitness certificates from two to five years. Ministries are expected to prepare implementing regulations by mid-2026. Fiala said the cabinet has already adopted over 100 such measures during its current term to reduce red tape for businesses and citizens.

Parts of Czechia may see afternoon temperatures above 31 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with strong winds up to 65 kilometers per hour and increased fire risk in Moravia, Silesia, and the highlands, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said today. The heat wave is driven by warm air from the south. Officials advised limiting outdoor activity and staying hydrated. Fire risk is expected to decline Friday night as winds weaken and rain arrives, with cooler, partly cloudy conditions forecast for the weekend.

Czech police arrested nine people, including eight foreigners, in a nationwide drug trafficking operation, authorities said today. The group distributed meth, ecstasy, ketamine, and cannabis, including inside a Pardubice prison, generating nearly CZK 17.5 million in proceeds. Eight face drug-related charges, with sentences ranging from 12 to 18 years, while one woman is accused of laundering money. Investigators seized 11.2 kilograms of meth, hundreds of ecstasy tablets, chemicals, cash, electronics, and other equipment during the “Gara” operation.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Wednesday the government does not blindly back Israel or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, contradicting President Petr Pavel’s earlier remarks. Fiala spoke after a cabinet meeting, noting his team evaluates actions individually rather than supporting every move. He plans to meet Pavel Thursday to discuss the Czech stance on the Middle East and other matters. The remarks come amid debate over support for Israel and pressure on Hamas regarding hostages.

Archaeologists have uncovered 1,289 skeletal remains of Prussian soldiers from 18th-century wars at Prague’s Břevnov Monastery, the National Heritage Institute said. The unprecedented find includes buttons, buckles, coins, weapons, and rosaries. Many graves date to the 1757 Battle of Štěrboholy and subsequent siege of Prague. Excavations, covering 1,000 square meters, were carried out before the construction of a woodchip heating plant. Some soldiers were buried in mass graves near the monastery granary.

Volunteers from the Czech-Slovak “Gift for Putin” initiative on Tuesday handed Ukraine’s military intelligence a U.S. Black Hawk helicopter funded by more than 20,600 donors. The helicopter, named Čestmír, cost CZK 72.6 million and was earlier symbolically presented by President Petr Pavel to Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Organizer Martin Ondráček said the effort is unique worldwide. New fundraising aims to supply 500 drones and aircraft to train Ukrainian F-16 pilots.

The Prague Municipal Court will not begin the retrial in the Stork’s Nest subsidy fraud case before the October elections, Judge Jan Šott told Czech media Tuesday. ANO leader and former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and then-associate Jana Nagyová face charges after the Supreme Court overturned their acquittal in June. Šott said the delay ensures time for evidence and defense preparation. Babiš, previously twice acquitted, denies wrongdoing. The ruling’s postponement benefits the ex-prime minister.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Interior Minister Vít Rakušan reaffirmed Tuesday their parties will not cooperate with the ANO movement after the elections. Following talks in Prague, the Civic Democrats leader and the Mayors and Independents (STAN) chief pledged readiness to govern together despite differences. Pirate Party leader Zdeněk Hřib declined an invitation, criticizing the meeting’s format. Fiala’s Together (Spolu) alliance also includes TOP 09 and the Christian Democrats.

 Czech President Petr Pavel on Wednesday nominated Michal Bartoň and Martin Smolek to the Constitutional Court, his office announced. Bartoň heads constitutional law at Palacký University in Olomouc, while Smolek represents the Czech Republic before the EU’s top court. Judges Jaromír Jirsa and Josef Fiala will retire later this year. Since taking office, Pavel has replaced more than two-thirds of the 15-member court, most recently appointing Dita Řepková in December.