Czech news in brief for August 31: Sunday's top headlines

About 27,500 Czechs have signed up to vote from abroad in the October parliamentary elections, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said Sunday. The number includes those using the new postal voting option and others casting ballots at embassies. Registration fell short of ministry estimates, but Lipavský noted participation abroad often grows gradually. In 2021, about 18,800 voters registered abroad. An estimated 400,000–600,000 Czechs live overseas.

During the 2025 summer holidays, 94 people died in traffic collisions in Czechia, six more than last year, according to Czech Police. There were 14,159 collisions and 293 serious injuries, both lower than in 2024. Fatalities include 33 car drivers, 21 motorcyclists, 14 cyclists, and 10 pedestrians. So far this year, 275 people have died on Czech roads, 18 fewer than in the same period of 2024.

The average time Czechs spend in old-age pensions reached 24.74 years in 2024, up almost 44 days from 2023, according to the Czech Social Security Administration. Women retire for 28.72 years on average, men for 19.54. Over the past 50 years, retirement duration has more than doubled. Gradual increases in retirement age are helping maintain system sustainability, though some political parties propose freezing it at 65.

A 53-year-old Czech man fell to his death from about 80 meters while ascending to the Payer hut in the Austrian Dolomites on Friday. Accompanied by a fellow Czech, he planned to stay overnight at the hut and summit Ortler the next day. Rescue teams located his body at the base of a steep cliff after adverse weather and darkness delayed initial search efforts.

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said Saturday that Czechia will not support EU proposals to increase pressure on Israel but favors “calm and tough dialogue.” He called European Commission plans to limit Israel’s access to Horizon Europe funding “absurd,” arguing it would hurt Israeli academics rather than the government. EU ministers remain divided over measures on Israel, while agreeing pressure should target Hamas to end the Gaza war and free hostages.

ANO would win Czech elections with 33 percent support, followed by the Together coalition, a Kantar poll for Czech Television showed. Support for SPD fell, while STAN and the Pirates, now allied with the Greens, gained ground. New parties Enough! and Motorists would enter parliament, unlike a June poll. Enough! recently partnered with the Social Democrats. The poll surveyed 1,029 respondents between Aug. 4–22.

A foreign national died Saturday after falling from a cliff near the Dobeška viewpoint in Prague’s Braník district, police said. The man’s body was found shortly after noon by climbers, who alerted authorities. Investigators are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death. The Braník rocks are a popular spot for views and climbing, but the area has seen several fatal falls in recent months, including two in June.

Karolína Muchová defeated compatriot Linda Nosková 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 at the US Open to become the fifth Czech player in the round of 16. The 29-year-old, seeded 11th, recovered after losing a turbulent first set and will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk next. This marks Muchová’s third consecutive US Open round of 16 appearance and fourth overall. Five Czech players reaching this stage is a new national record at a Grand Slam.

Czechs were hit by a major wave of phishing in the second quarter of 2025, with 66 percent of fraudulent messages posing as telecom firms, banks, or social media providers, cybersecurity firm Eset reported. Most scams were in English, targeting login data later sold or misused. Experts warn attacks may lead to ransomware infections or stolen bank access. Investment fraud and marketplace scams also remain common in Czechia.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said on Saturday that the EU should draft its 19th sanctions package against Russia without waiting for U.S. action. Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen, he said new measures could target cryptocurrencies, banking, and Russia’s shadow oil fleet. Czechia also seeks curbs on Russian diplomats’ Schengen movement. EU states will submit proposals next week, EU chief Kaja Kallas said.

Czechs are increasingly using payment cards for purchases abroad, according to Raiffeisenbank. The share of clients paying by card rose from 18 percent last year to 21 percent this year. In the first half of 2025, transactions abroad reached CZK 15.4 billion, up 11 percent year-on-year, with 13.8 million transactions, a 13 percent increase. Card payments remain free at merchants, though currency conversion and ATM withdrawals may carry fees.