Czech news in brief for September 23: Tuesday's top headlines

The VLQ quantum computer, the first in Czechia, was officially launched Tuesday at the IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center at VSB-Technical University of Ostrava. The system is the second publicly accessible quantum computer in Europe and will serve research institutions, universities, industry, and the public sector. VLQ, capable of solving tasks impractical for conventional computers, cost roughly CZK 125 million, funded equally by the European HPC Joint Undertaking and the LUMI-Q consortium of eight European countries.

Fifty-five percent of Czechs are dissatisfied with the country’s direction, returning to 2023 levels after a slight drop last year, the STEM agency reported Tuesday. Opposition and extra-parliamentary party supporters express the strongest discontent, while ruling coalition voters, including Together (the current Spolu coalition), STAN, and Pirates, are more satisfied. Only 18 percent see progress, and 27 percent consider the situation unchanged. Pollsters cite multiple crises, including migration, the pandemic, energy issues, inflation, and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

Police have charged a 64-year-old man with disorderly conduct and attempted bodily harm after hitting Andrej Babiš with a baton during a Sept. 1 election campaign rally in the town of Dobrá, (Moravia-Silesia), a police spokeswoman said Tuesday. The attacker struck Babiš twice, causing injuries treated in hospital. The suspect confessed and could face six months to three years in prison. Babiš accepted the attacker’s apology, which was posted on social media. The general election is in under two weeks.

Nearly 18 percent of Czechs currently have a mortgage, while another fifth plan to take one in the future, according to an Ipsos survey presented Tuesday by the Czech Banking Association. The survey found that half of Czechs are planning to refinance in the next two years, mostly expecting interest rates around 4 percent. Rising real estate prices, high savings rates, and an aging population continue to shape mortgage decisions, with most prioritizing property size and transport accessibility.

The country's July power outage has renewed concerns about the stability of Czechia’s electricity network, industry and academic experts said at the Prague Euro Business Breakfast conference. State operator ČEPS plans to invest more than CZK 80 billion over the next decade to double lines, build substations, and renovate older infrastructure to support renewable energy and rising consumption. Experts warn that declining traditional power plants, though environmentally beneficial, remain crucial for grid stability.

Czech President Petr Pavel said it would be “very dangerous and unfortunate” to halt the country’s munitions initiative supporting Ukraine. Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Pavel warned that abolishing the program, opposed by the ANO party, could damage Czech credibility with allies. He stressed the aid’s proven effectiveness and said backing Ukraine upholds the rules-based global order and ensures solidarity in future conflicts.

According to payment card data, foreign visitors spent nearly CZK 7.5 billion on holidays in the Czech Republic, up eight percent from last year. Germans topped spending with over CZK 2.5 billion, followed by Slovaks and the Irish. In July, almost 900,000 international guests stayed in hotels. Holiday-month visitor numbers typically reach around two million, reflecting steady growth in tourism revenue for the country.

Emil, a young moose that had wandered across northern Austria, was tranquilized near a motorway in Upper Austria and transported back to the Czech borderlands, Austrian media reported. The animal was released into the wild near Sumava National Park to join the local moose population. Emil had previously disrupted traffic on a western railway line, drawing widespread public attention and a social media following tracking his cross-European journey.

Businessman Michal Redl pleaded not guilty at the start of a trial over widespread corruption at Prague Transport Company (DPP), known as the Dosimeter case. Prosecutors allege Redl led an organized group influencing tenders and distributing bribes. Former Prague deputy mayor Petr Hlubucek is also charged. Redl admitted only to drug offenses. The trial will hear testimony from politicians, DPP officials, and other implicated businessmen in the coming weeks.

Data show that the Czech koruna strengthened to CZK 24.25 per euro, its highest level in over two years, and rose to CZK 20.60 per dollar. Analysts cited positive market sentiment and interest rate advantages against the euro. The Prague Stock Exchange opened the week higher, with energy group ČEZ and Moneta shares driving gains. Experts expect the koruna to maintain its strong position amid ongoing hawkish central bank policies.

The LUSTR festival launched its exhibition of original illustrations and comics at Holešovice Market, running through Sept 28. The 12th edition, themed “sensitivity,” features Czech and international illustrators across five sections. Festival events include LUSTR Talks, a masterclass with Berlin-based animator Raman Djafari, theatrical readings, and workshops. A traditional showcase highlights 60 authors selected from over 500 applications, with presentations exploring contemporary illustration and comics in cultural and societal contexts.