NEWS
ČSSD promises stimulus spending
If ČSSD wins the autumn general elections it plans to invest CZK 30 million-50 million in each of the next two years to fight the economic crisis. The money would be spent on infrastructure, science and research and completion of nuclear power plants. ČSSD head Jiří Paroubek said the country’s budget deficit would increase to more than CZK 200 billion.
most Czech press
HN: ODS MP uses bonus to rent office from wife
Hospodářské noviny reports that MP Jozef Kochan, ODS leader in the Hradec Králové region, is using his state-supplied office bonus to lease space in a Trutnov building owned by his wife. The daily reports that Kochan’s wife receives more than CZK 20,000 a month, the maximum bonus a deputy can collect, and that much cheaper office space is available in Trutnov. Since his election in 2004 Kochan’s family has collected hundreds of thousands of crowns in rents.
HN 1, 4
Rath to stay on ČSSD list
Responding to growing dissatisfaction among ČSSD members with Central Bohemia Governor David Rath, party leader Jiří Paroubek criticised his colleague but said he would remain on the Social Democrats’ election list. Paroubek said Rath should focus on issues on which he is an expert and avoid other matters. Rath aide Filip Bušina was suspended from the party amid allegations that he evaded hundreds of millions of crowns in taxes.
most Czech press
Prima: Extremists beat Asians outside Prague club
Five neo-Nazis attacked a group of Sri Lankans outside a club in Prague-Holešovice Thursday, Prima television reported. The extremists reportedly shouted racist slogans at the Asians inside club Misch Masch then followed them out and beat them. Two of the victims were hospitalised with head injuries. Police detained all five suspects.
ČTK
TOP 09 to work with mayors’ group
The national committee of the Starostové a nezávislí (Mayors and Independents) movement on Thursday unanimously approved cooperating with new party TOP 09. The organisation said it would nominate former foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg of TOP 09 as its election leader and candidate for the post of prime minister.
Právo 2, MfD A2
Svoboda blasts EU’s Cuba policy
KDU-ČSL chair Cyril Svoboda, returning Thursday from a private trip to Cuba, criticised the EU for its approach to Havana. Svoboda said only the Czech, Dutch and Polish embassies distribute medicine to those in need on the island. He said EU representatives rarely meet with dissidents, instead taking a pragmatic approach and maintaining a cordial relationship with Cuban officials.
ČTK, HN 4
New flood threat in northern Moravia
Firefighters evacuated residents in the most endangered parts of Fulnek on Thursday after torrential rain raised the level of the Husí stream and flooded cellars in the northern Moravian town. The water level later began to drop.
ČTK
Quarter of med school grads going abroad
A quarter of Czech medical school graduates, amounting to some 200 doctors a year, leave for work abroad rather than entering the domestic healthcare sector, Czech Medical Chamber President Milan Kubek said Thursday. Kubek said Czech hospitals were currently short 600 doctors.
ČTK, iDnes.cz, LN 4
Czech Republic has 15 swine flu cases
Health officials confirmed five new cases of H1N1 swine flu Thursday, bringing the national total to 15.
ČTK
BUSINESS
Car prices lowest in ČR history
Car prices have reached their lowest level in the history of the Czech Republic, Hospodářské noviny reports. A dozen models are available for less than CZK 200,000, with another 50 going for under CZK 250,000. The cheapest model on the market is Chevrolet Spark at CZK 164,000. Pavel Tunkl of the Car Importers Association predicted new cars’ average prices will stabilise or grow by winter.
HN 1, 16-17
ČSA to end New York flights, reduce fleet
Czech Airlines said Thursday it would eliminate direct flights to New York and Toronto as of this winter and reduce its 50 plane fleet by 10% to cut costs. The company is also likely to cancel or considerably restrict some European routes.
ČTK, MfD A8
Ott expects to remain Orco head
Orco CEO Jean-Francois Ott told Hospodářské noviny he thinks he will be re-elected to lead the company at next week’s general assembly. Today is the last day for potential candidates to submit their applications. Ott said an agreement with Orco bondholders to set conditions for US company Colony Capital’s planned EUR 80 million investment in the firm should be reached within five to six weeks.
HN 15, 23
Heating firms lobby to change free carbon credit law
Heating plant companies are lobbying senators to amend legislation, passed by the lower house two weeks ago, that determines the conditions for obtaining free carbon credits. Critics contend the requirements are set so that only ČEZ is capable of meeting them. The Green Party is also planning to talk to push its proposal to abandon distribution of free carbon credits altogether.
HN 15
Landlords: Deregulated rents still too low
Even after rent deregulation is completed, rents of formerly regulated flats will be 20%-60% lower than standard rents in some places and in many cases will not cover building owners’ costs, landlords association said Thursday.
ČTK
ČEZ borrows billions for Romanian wind plant
Czech energy giant ČEZ has borrowed EUR 262.3 million (CZK 6.8 billion) to build a wind power station in Fantanele, Romania. The facility would be Europe’s biggest seaside wind park, with an output of 347.5 megawatts. A consortium of European banks led by Bayerische Landesbank granted the 15-year loan.
ČTK
Siemens KV to fire all staff
All 1,000 employees at rail carr producer Siemens Kolejová vozidla’s Prague-Zličín plant will be let go in connection with the closure of the facility. Management told union officials Thursday that the layoffs are unavoidable because the firm could not find an investor to buy it outright. Siemens KV is in talks with parties interested in its land and machinery.
HN 19, Právo 16
Czech Railways enters bus transport market
Czech Railways, in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn, will launch direct bus service from Prague to Nuremberg on 9 August.
Právo 15
Farmers put flood damage at CZK 200m
The Agrarian Chamber estimates that floods caused damage worth some CZK 200 million to farmers. Chamber vice-president Jindřich Šnejdrla said Thursday that 40,000 hectares of farmland was damaged and 500 hectares destroyed.
ČTK
i-legalne.cz to offer radio streaming
Internet music retailer i-legalne.cz is planning to offer streaming radio based on users’ choice of artists, in the manner of UK-based Last.fm. Petr Peřina, i-legalne.cz marketing director, said the cost of the streaming service will be lower than the price for downloading music, currently CZK 249 a month.
HN 18
Lesy ČR ups 2008 profit by 62%
State-run forestry company Lesy ČR raised its net profit by 62% to CZK 461 million last year thanks to cost-cutting measures and the sale of assets.
Právo 15
Massag Bílovec in insolvency proceedings
As of Thursday engineering company Massag Bílovec is subject to insolvency proceedings initiated by metallurgy firm 1CSC Precision Tubes. Massag head Petr Jaroš acknowledged his company had owed Brno-based 1CSC CZK 300,000 for goods but said the debt had been settled.
ČTK
