Czech news in brief for October 10: Friday's top morning headlines

Czech President Petr Pavel met with ANO leader Andrej Babiš on Thursday, saying he will nominate a new prime minister only after the Chamber of Deputies is established. Pavel stressed that forming a government must follow constitutional procedures and requested details on coalition priorities, ministerial divisions, and personnel. Negotiations among ANO, SPD, and Motorists are ongoing, with discussions also covering parliamentary committee assignments and potential ministerial posts.

The European Commission will review a potential conflict of interest if ANO leader Andrej Babiš becomes Czech prime minister again, EU Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin told the European Parliament’s budgetary control committee on Thrusday. The Commission previously ruled that Babiš’s Agrofert group received EU subsidies illegally while he was in government. Serafin said Brussels would closely monitor any new appointment to ensure compliance with EU conflict-of-interest rules.

Czech manufacturers face persistent labor shortages despite annual wage growth of 5–8 percent, a Grafton Recruitment survey shows. Companies report the greatest need for technically skilled workers, multi-shift employees, and roles linked to automation and digitalization. High-demand positions include PLC programmers, process engineers, and automation specialists. Recruitment remains challenging, with blue-collar roles filling in two weeks, while engineering and management positions can take up to four months

More Czechs say stress prevents them from coping with daily life, according to a September Ipsos survey. Two-thirds of respondents, mostly young people, said stress has a serious impact, and a quarter reported missing work because of it. Women reported higher levels of distress. The poll found 81% of Gen Z respondents struggled to manage their affairs, compared to 73% of millennials and about half of older generations.

European legislators are considering reserving names such as “schnitzel,” “burger,” and “sausage” for animal-based products, requiring vegan alternatives to adopt different labels. The legislation has not yet been finalized. Interest in plant-based diets is rising in the Czech Republic, where a 2022 Ipsos survey found 39% of respondents were trying to limit animal product consumption, and roughly one in ten avoid or restrict meat entirely.