Czech news in brief for August 28: Thursday's top headlines

Researchers at the Museum of Literature discovered a large portion of Jaroslav Hašek’s satirical novel The Good Soldier Švejk in the archives, director Michal Stehlík said this afternoon. The texts, written or dictated by Hašek until his 1923 death, were found while processing the estate of his publisher Karel Synek. The manuscripts, including Part II fragments, all of Part III, and part of Part IV, will be accessible to researchers after restoration and digitization.

President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed clear consensus on key foreign policy issues, including a common approach to the Middle East, the Presidential Office said Thursday. During the 90-minute meeting, Fiala also briefed Pavel on recent Coalition of the Willing video conferences on Ukraine and outlined the parameters of the 2026 state budget. Fiala emphasized that alignment on foreign policy strengthens stability and provides an advantage for the Czech Republic.

The state will try to sell Veleslavín Chateau in Prague at an electronic auction on Sept. 24–25, authorities said this afternoon. The starting price was cut by CZK 3 million to CZK 296 million. Prague and its district can match the winning bid if interested. The chateau has been offered since November with little success. Bidders must deposit CZK 15 million, and offers start at the minimum asking price. Veleslavín Castle, with its historical park, covers three hectares and dates back to around 1725. In the first half of the 20th century, it served as a neurological sanatorium.

A 56-year-old Czech truck driver has been taken into custody in Germany over the illegal export of about 700 tonnes of waste to Czechia, prosecutors in Weiden said today. He is suspected of arranging dumping sites for the waste, some of it hazardous, in several Czech regions. He is the second suspect after a Bavarian company’s director. German authorities are preparing to remove the waste. Police detained the man at the Czech-German border Wednesday.

University students made up 19.5 percent of Czechs aged 20–29 in 2024, returning to a historic high, the Czech Statistical Office said today. About 314,900 people studied at public and private universities last year. Student numbers had declined after 2010 but have risen since 2019. Shares are higher in Moravia than in western regions, with Prague West leading. Education Minister Mikuláš Bek has warned of a shortage of university-educated workers. Most university students studied at public and private universities offering business, administration, and law programs. 

The draft state budget for 2026 projects a CZK 280 billion deficit and will include national subsidies, Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček said after ministers’ talks Wednesday. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura outlined mandatory spending and forecasts, while Vlček stressed investments in transport and the Dukovany nuclear plant. Debate will continue in September. Media speculation of zero subsidies was dismissed by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who said support for firefighters and the Mountain Service remains.

The Czech Army has recruited 2,100 professional soldiers so far this year, the second-highest total since 2006, the Defense Ministry said. Officials expect the record to fall by year’s end, with 200 spots left for November training. Recruitment surpasses targets and marks the best result in five years. The ministry counts 28,285 professional soldiers, with the total expected to rise by at least 650 in 2025 despite retirements.

Czech fuel prices have fallen to their lowest level since mid-June, CCS data showed Thursday. Gasoline dropped by 13 haléř to an average of CZK 33.79 per liter, while diesel fell by 27 haléř to CZK 32.38. Analysts credit lower global oil prices and a strong crown, but expect no major further declines. Traders’ margins are at their highest for gasoline since last spring, and slight price increases are forecast in September.

Czech firefighters battling Spain’s devastating wildfires have received an award from civil protection chief Virginia Barcones, the Czech Embassy said. At Spain’s request, crews have been operating helicopters in hard-hit regions including Galicia and Castile and León since last week. Fires have destroyed more than 407,000 hectares across Spain this year, most in August. The Czech team was honored at its base in León for its role in EU-coordinated assistance.

Slavia Prague will learn its Champions League opponents when the group stage draw is held Thursday evening in Monaco. The Czech champions, seeded in Pot 3 with clubs including Tottenham, Ajax and Napoli, will face eight rivals in the league phase. Slavia returns to the main stage after five years. Last season, Sparta Prague was the first Czech club in the new format, finishing 31st of 36 teams with four points.