NEWS
ČR might introduce diplomatic visa for Canada
The Canadian Embassy in Prague has not yet confirmed alleged plans to reinstall visa requirements for Czech citizens on 7 July. Embassy spokesman, Michael Vlček, admitted, however, that the matter was under consideration. ČTK has reported the Czech state may introduce reciprocal visas for Canadian officials. Interior Minister Martin Pecina had also offered to intervene to cancel Prague-Toronto flights in moves to halt mass Roma arrivals, an unnamed source told Lidové noviny. A ČSA spokeswoman said the airlines would not yield to political pressure.
most Czech press
ČR passes presidency to Swedes
The Czech Republic handed over the EU presidency to Sweden in Stockholm yesterday. The Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said the Czechs had not had an easy presidency, but they managed well. The French daily Le Figaro wrote, however, that European officials were breathing a collective sigh of relief.
ČTK, E15 4
ODS launches election campaign with festival passes and swimsuit ad
ODS plans to offer discounted CZK 300 tickets to five summer music festivals to party supporters registered with its blue team (Modrý tým) support group. The blue team stand will appear at the Rock for People festival though organisers denied any cooperation with political party. ODS will also launch an election campaign in Croatia today aimed at attracting holidaying Czechs. Campaign billboards depict four top ODS members, including former PM Mirek Topolánek, in swimsuits.
LN 3, iDnes.cz
More financial help for flood victims
The Regional Development Ministry is offering money for housing construction or repair to those hit by flash flooding. Victims who lost their homes in the floods may receive aid of CZK 150,000 while those with damaged housing will get CZK 30,000. Mayors in affected regions will lodge applications after calculating the damage, and they will distribute monies to those in need.
ČTK
Squatters protest, Kocáb taking alternative housing offers
Local squatters and their supporters held a demonstration yesterday at Senovážné náměstí in Prague against their eviction from the Milada squat. The Milada building, which was closed on Tuesday, belongs to the state-run Institute for Information and Education (ÚIV). Michael Kocáb, minister for human rights and minorities, said he had received an offer of emergency housing for the squatters until the end of the year from the owner of an unidentified building. Kocáb has also sent requests to other ministers for suitable housing.
most Czech press
Newspaper alleges improper MP pay-outs
Daily Hospodářské noviny reports that at least 70 MPs have been using monthly financial bonuses earmarked for office rent to pay themselves, their parties or their relatives. The bonuses for Prague representatives can exceed CZK 30,000. HN said that the amount of funds misused by the MPs was impossible to confirm, but it alleged that most had used their entire bonus when paying themselves or their friends. The lower house budget includes more than CZK 55 million each year on bonuses.
HN 1-3
ČSSD denies Sobotka misused bonuses
The Social Democrats (ČSSD) have rejected claims that its deputy chairman Bohuslav Sobotka misused various payment bonuses available to him as an MP to finance buying a new CZK 7 million flat. Sobotka admitted he had used the bonuses to purchase the flat earlier this week.
Právo 4, LN 3
Klaus sets 9-10 October election date
President Václav Klaus has announced that the early parliamentary elections will take place on 9 and 10 October this year. The early elections were required before mid-October, and so the president’s choice represents their latest possible date. Prime Minister Jan Fischer approved the date selection yesterday afternoon.
Právo 2
Company offers housing units to flood-stricken
Local container manufacturer Touax is offering free housing units to those hit by floods in the Olomouc region. Fire-fighters started distributing the housing units yesterday. Company head Antonín Fryč said it had not been directly affected by the floods, but believed it had a moral duty to help. No limit has been set on the number of units to be provided or the time for their use. The units include electricity and heating.
ČTK
BUSINESS
J&T buys IPO, Czech Coal protests
J&T group yesterday acquired all assets of British company International Power in the Czech Republic for CZK 22.5 billion. J&T now has a 100% stake in International Power Opatovice (IPO), including company shares in Pražská teplárenská and Energotrans. ČEZ confirmed it had closed a deal with J&T on the sale of a 48.7% stake in Pražská teplárenská. Czech Coal, which had planned to bid for IPO, said it would file a complaint with the anti-monopoly office.
most Czech press
Bank statement fees to be abolished
A new bill on bank communication based on EU regulations will introduce no-cost bank statements from November this year. Hospodářské noviny reports that most Czechs are used to receiving their monthly statements by mail, and so banks are reaping dozens of millions of crowns every year. Jan Beran of the Finance Ministry, who helped to draft the law, explained that banks will need to offer at least one option for no-cost account statements. The new law will also prevent banks from charging a fee for blocking cards in case of loss or theft. The bill has not yet been approved by the Senate
HN 1, 13
Fischer: Deficit will exceed CZK 150bn
Prime Minister Jan Fischer announced yesterday that this year’s budget deficit would tally at least CZK 150 billion. Fischer met with central bank governor Zdeněk Tůma yesterday. Previous estimates had put the deficit at a maximum of CZK 150 billion. Fischer also said it would be necessary to change the structure of budget expenses, in particular mandatory costs.
most Czech press
Roman: ČEZ will drop electricity prices in 2010
ČEZ CEO Martin Roman told iDnes.cz yesterday that the company plans to lower electricity prices for next year. He said the exact amount of the decrease would be decided in autumn.
MfD A1, B3
ČSA pilots to hold July protest against management
ČSA pilots are planning a protest of an unspecified nature against Czech Airlines management in July. The pilots say they oppose the introduction of pre-flight plane checks unattended by mechanics.They also plan to sue ČSA head Radomír Lašák for alleged slander. Lašák accused the pilots’ association CZALPA of embezzlement. ČSA management spokeswoman, Hana Hejsková, called this flight check matter an invented problem. The protest should not affect flight operations or cause financial loss.
most Czech press
UniCredit, Česká pojišťovna win awards in HN competition
UniCredit Bank and the Česká pojišťovna insurance company were named best bank and best insurance company respectively in the first year of the Cena HN competition announced by Hospodářské noviny in cooperation with financial analysts Scott & Rose. Cena HN evaluates companies’ financial stability as well as their client care management. The information was published in HN’s supplement on banking and finance.
HN I
Ministry launches regulated rent calculator
The Ministry for Regional Development yesterday introduced a calculator for determining regulated rents in the next year. Some 750,000 state flats are subject to regulated rents, which may increase by almost 60% in some localities next year, according to E15 reports. The calculation of regulated rents is based on property prices for the past three years and so does not reflect the fall in market prices resulting from the economic crisis.
E15 5, HN 1, 14-15
Court throws out ADSL lawsuit against Telefónica O2
Prague City Court on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit by the alleged inventor of ADSL internet connections Marek Hájek against Telefónica O2. Hájek claimed the company had breached his patent rights by offering ADSL services, and he demanded CZK 18 billion in damages. Hájek had a method of connecting internet through the use of the then Telecom dial-up service in 1998.
Právo 17, ČTK
English-language site warns tourists of Prague scams
Prague’s English-language accommodation and lifestyle portal Prague-Stay.com has begun publishing a list of places and services that Prague tourists should avoid. The list names overpriced taxi drivers on Old Town Square, Prague’s famous pub U Fleků, Mysteriae Pragensia museum, boat cruises and the Wax Museum on Melantrichova street. Nine attractions currently appear on the list, which is sure to grow, said Prokop Svoboda, the website provider.
LN 5
Česmad: This weekend’s summer lorry ban will not be so bad
The annual ban on lorries on public speedways for one summer weekend kicks off this Friday. A spokesman for road haulier association Česmad Bohemia, Martin Felix, said the company expected fewer problems this year since the financial crisis had decreased haulier numbers.
ČTK
FinMin creates gambling map
Finance Ministry has compiled a digital map of lottery and betting market in the country. The map lists 106,000 betting establishments, three-quarters of which offer slot machines. The map should help to increase the state control in areas with a high density of gambling businesses.
ČTK
