Czech news in brief for September 2: Tuesday's top headlines

Opposition ANO leader Andrej Babiš said this afternoon he must undergo further medical checks after being struck in the temple with a stick at a rally in Dobrá, near Frýdek-Místek in Moravia. Police said a senior citizen hit him with a crutch on Monday, also injuring a woman. The man is suspected of rioting and attempted bodily harm. “What happened on Monday should not and must never happen again,” Babiš said, urging supporters to avoid violence. He said his ANO movement had mainly talked about its program at meetings with citizens and tried to run a positive campaign.

Only 43 percent of Czechs back EU enlargement, far below the 56 percent EU average, according to a new Eurobarometer survey released Tuesday. Support is strongest among those aged 15–39, with about two-thirds in favor. Just 41 percent of Czechs believe their country would benefit from enlargement, compared to 56 percent EU-wide. Respondents cited jobs, markets and security as benefits but raised concerns about migration, corruption, crime and financial costs. Most felt poorly informed.

The Czech government could decide Wednesday on public sector salary shifts for 2026 after talks with trade unions, Labor Minister Marian Jurečka said Tuesday. Proposed options range from 5 to 7 percent, with lower-paid professions potentially rising 9 to 13 percent. However, some professions like teaching may see a real-terms pay fall. "There is no final conclusion on this," Jurečka said. The total cost could reach CZK 45.1 billion.

Bavarian authorities will begin removing hundreds of tonnes of illegal German waste from the Czech Republic on Sept. 8, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. The waste was illegally exported by Roth International, which has since gone bankrupt. Kathrin Kammermeier of Upper Palatinate said the region will dispose of the waste at its own expense. Roth International, based near the Czech border, specializes in dismantling aircraft and wind turbines.

Czech President Petr Pavel urged the EU to boost its military capabilities, complete its internal market, and speak with one voice to stay relevant globally. Speaking at the Bled Strategy Forum in Slovenia on Tuesday, he said reliance on the U.S. for security is "unsustainable" and warned democracies are losing to autocracies. "If we act like a bunch of little boys, we will not succeed in this big boy competition," Pavel said. He also warned of Russian disinformation.

Early September temperatures in the Czech Republic will remain above average, with highs reaching 29°C on Monday. A temporary cool-down is expected Tuesday in western regions, but temperatures will rebound to 27°C by Thursday. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute predicts partly cloudy skies, occasional showers, and thunderstorms through the week. While warmer than typical for this time of year, weather records are not expected to be broken.

Czech opposition leader Andrej Babiš was struck on the head with a crutch at a pre-election rally in Dobra, north Moravia, prompting widespread condemnation. PM Petr Fiala, Interior Minister Vít Rakušan, and other politicians decried political violence. ANO officials blamed the attack on a hate-driven government campaign. Authorities said the incident is under police investigation, and Babiš’s injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, followed by a Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in eastern Slovakia. Fico criticized the EU for limited representation at China’s WWII anniversary celebrations and emphasized the importance of engaging in global multipolar discussions. Details of the talks with the three leaders were not disclosed.

Czech adolescents face one of Europe’s lowest mental health levels, with only Ukraine worse off, according to recent studies. Up to 41 percent of ninth-graders experience moderate to severe depression, and 54 percent report low well-being, especially girls. Cyberbullying is rising, worsening the situation. EU and WHO data confirm Czech teens lag behind peers in Nordic countries, highlighting an urgent need for mental health interventions in schools.

To mark 800 years since its first written mention, Hradec Králové hosted the Czech Republic’s largest drone show Sunday, featuring 500 drones creating city landmarks, symbols, and motifs in the night sky. The 10-minute spectacle, accompanied by actor Viktor Preiss’ narration, drew crowds to Park 360 and included live concerts. The year-long anniversary program features over 80 events, costing the city an estimated 65 million crowns.