Czech news in brief for July 24: Thursday's top headlines

Prices of seven out of 13 key food items rose in July, led by table apples, which jumped 11.4 percent to CZK 49.65 per kilogram, the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) reported Thursday. Yogurt, sugar, and milk also saw notable increases. In contrast, potato prices fell 31.25 percent month-over-month. Year-on-year, eggs, butter, and apples remain significantly more expensive. The CZSO gathers prices monthly in the field but excludes them from overall consumer price calculations.

Alšova jihočeská galerie (AJG) in South Bohemia is restoring rare 15th-century painted panels from the Ark of Doudleby, a famous artwork once part of a medieval altar. Restorer Petra Šnokhausová says the works reflect the style of German artist Michael Wolgemut, noted for omitting halos and depicting brocade. The panels, rediscovered in a parish church, depict biblical scenes like the Crucifixion and Pentecost. AJG, a leading Czech gallery, preserves over 28,000 artworks and plans a new facility in České Budějovice.

Czech police have proposed charging Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) leader Tomio Okamura with incitement to hatred over anti-immigration posters from last year’s election campaign, Czech media reported today. If convicted, the MP faces up to three years in prison. The case now moves to the Prague 1 District State Prosecutor’s Office. Okamura, calling the case politically motivated, said he will comment further once familiar with the decision. The posters reportedly had racist or xenophobic content.

Czech drivers heading to Germany this weekend should expect major traffic jams, especially on the Dresden–Prague route, the German automobile club ADAC warned Thursday. The start of school holidays in five more German states and ongoing roadwork, including tunnel repairs near the Czech border, are expected to cause severe congestion. ADAC advises avoiding travel on Friday evening, Saturday morning, and Sunday afternoon, and recommends midweek departures to bypass peak traffic on German motorways.

The share of single-parent households in Czechia living below the poverty line rose to 36.3 percent in 2024, up from 32.4 percent in 2021, according to research published Thursday by Radka Dudová of the SYRI National Institute. The increase is linked to the COVID-19 crisis and high inflation. Interviews with 32 single mothers revealed food shortages, unstable incomes, and reliance on charity. Single mothers and their children make up about one-quarter of all Czech households.

Czech police have arrested a 33-year-old man from the Jindřichův Hradec district for publishing Holocaust denial content on his website, authorities said Wednesday. The man had shared articles and videos questioning the Holocaust since September and created fictional supporters to promote the material. Police said he had a prior conviction for a similar offense. He now faces up to three years in prison for justifying and denying genocide. Officials described the case as isolated in southern Bohemia.

The Czech Senate passed a bill tightening asylum and migration rules. The law, aligning with the EU migration pact, speeds up asylum procedures and limits abuse. Authorities can now restrict asylum seekers' residence and access to the labor market. Repeat offenders may face expulsion. The bill, awaiting the president’s signature, also addresses capacity limits for refugees and enhances migrant identification methods, including mobile phone data use.

The Czech Republic has the highest electricity prices in the Visegrad Four due to lack of state regulation, an analysis by the Creditas Group found. Meanwhile, fuel prices remain among the lowest in Europe. Housing affordability remains a major issue, especially in Prague, where construction lags. Poland is quickly catching up to the Czechs in income and affordability, with analysts warning the country risks falling behind.

The Czech government extended the state of emergency near Hustopečí nad Bečvou until Aug. 25 as cleanup continues after a February train crash spilled toxic benzene. About 150 tons remain on-site, with over half the pollution yet to be removed. The special regime enables faster remediation. Officials expect decontamination to last through November, citing benzene’s hazardous properties and winter limitations. Entry to the area remains restricted.

Starting in January, Czech primary schools with over 180 pupils will receive state funding for psychologists or special educators based on enrollment. From September 2026, all first-grade classes with 15+ students will also get assistant teachers. The Education Ministry says the move aims to improve inclusion and reduce school failures. The changes follow updates to the Education Act and will cost the state over CZK 2 billion annually.

According to a new Ipsos survey for CARE and Konektor, about half of Czechs donate to charity, though mostly on a sporadic basis. Just 8% give regularly, and 18 percent do not donate at all. NGOs say the Czech Republic lags behind Europe in long-term giving. Groups like UNICEF and CARE aim to increase regular donations through public outreach campaigns at transport hubs in the coming weeks.

A farm in the Brno region is thriving with its self-harvest blueberry model. Owner Josef Fabičovic said 70–80 percent of the crop is now picked by visitors, reversing earlier skepticism. The Agro Fabičovic farm charges CZK 170 per kilogram for self-pick, CZK 230 for pre-picked. Despite initial doubts, the relaxed approach has proved successful, drawing regulars from as far as the Třebíč region.