Czech news in brief for September 30: Tuesday's top headlines

A youth who threatened to carry out a shooting at a Děčín elementary school in Feb. was sentenced to 12 months in prison Tuesday by the Ústí nad Labem Regional Court. He was found guilty of the preparation of murder and was also ordered to undergo inpatient protective treatment. The boy, who confessed in court, faces a penalty range of one to five years for juveniles. Security measures were quickly adopted after a classmate reported his plan. Both the defendant and prosecutor may still appeal.

Police in Slovakia and Czechia detained seven suspects in coordinated anti-drug raids carried out Sept. 25–26, Slovak authorities announced Tuesday. Officers seized 1.1 kilos of methamphetamine, 650 grams of marijuana, 100 grams of hashish, 40 grams of cocaine, and EUR 75,000 (about CZK 1.8 million) in cash during 10 searches. Austrian police also assisted in the operation. Two suspects are in custody, while another is being sought. Charges include illegal production and trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Nearly half of low-income borrowers in Czechia fall into a debt spiral due to quick non-bank loans, a survey of 700 households by Index NeplatUroky.cz showed Tuesday. Respondents scored poorly on financial literacy, with only 39 percent understanding the term APR, while many underestimated hidden fees. Almost half reported repayment problems, often needing new loans to cover old ones. Despite risks, half could imagine borrowing again, citing speed, small amounts and rejection by banks as main reasons. Experts warn that foreclosures and debt traps will likely rise.

The Czech government late this morning unanimously approved next year’s draft state budget, projecting a deficit of CZK 286 billion, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said after the cabinet meeting. Compared to the first draft, revenues and expenditures were each raised by about CZK 28 billion, while the deficit remained unchanged. The Transport Ministry, previously the strongest critic, gained CZK 22 billion more in spending. The budget revenues increased thanks to the impact of employers' new uniform reporting laws, which will come into force next year.

Opposition ANO would lead a late-September Czech election with 32.6 percent, according to an Ipsos model. Ruling Together coalition and junior partner STAN follow with 21.1 percent and 11.2 percent. Freedom and Direct Democracy would get 10.1 percent, while Pirates with Greens reach 8.7 percent. Extra-parliamentary Enough! and Motorists surpass the 5 percent threshold. Compared with August, ANO and Pirates rose, Together and SPD fell. Turnout is projected at 66 percent.

The city will intensify cleaning of buses, trams, and metro stations and launch a public campaign amid a surge in hepatitis A cases. The Public Transport Company will increase disinfectant use and conduct extra cleanings at busy stations. Flyers with hygiene guidance will be distributed to educate residents. Nearly 700 cases have been reported this year, with 75 in the past week, prompting officials to call it a local epidemic.

Most Czech parties likely to enter parliament support restricting short-term rentals in major cities, a Kantar survey shows. Limiting such rentals is seen as a way to increase apartment availability. Parties are divided on whether municipalities should be legally required to provide affordable housing, with ANO, SPD, and Stačilo! in favor, while SPOLU, STAN, Pirates, and Motoristé oppose. Motoristé also reject short-term rental limits

Bosch’s planned 13,000-job cuts in Germany will not affect its Czech plants for now, the company said. Spokesman Pavel Roman noted future measures cannot be ruled out due to market dynamics. Bosch employs over 8,000 people in the Czech Republic, including 3,382 in České Budějovice. The company recently raised wages by about 6 percent and continues monitoring market conditions to maintain employment levels.

Parts of Jaroslav Hašek’s manuscript for The Fate of the Good Soldier Švejk will be displayed at the Prague Museum of Literature for three days, following their discovery in publisher papers nearly 90 years old. The exhibition, open until Oct. 2, also features Hašek’s annotated first volume and related materials. Experts will restore and digitize the manuscript for research, while visitors can sample Hašek’s Lipnický beer tapped by his great-grandson.