Open Czechia warns of ‘radicalised’ protest movement amid parliamentary debate

Jiří Janeček, deputy leader of the Open Czechia movement, has warned that if the Czech parliament passes its controversial pandemic law, protests against Covid measures could become “radicalised”. Janeček described the protests outside parliament in recent days as a “middle finger in parliament”. The Open Czechia protests continue today as the government continues to discuss the pandemic law and the Freedom and Democracy Party tries to obstruct its passage. “We still have the opportunity to fight this,” Janeček said. “The law will have to pass third reading and then the Senate, and I’m so afraid that things will get radical.”

Natálie Taschlerová, a 20-year-old Czech ice dancer, gave an interview to the Global Times, an English-language Chinese newspaper known as the mouthpiece of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, praising the Czech team’s hosting of the Olympic Games in Beijing winter and criticizing politicization. games. Taschlerová voiced his opposition to the boycott of the games by the Czech government due to human rights abuses in China. She claimed the politicization of the games is “unfair” to athletes because politics and sport must be treated separately.

Prague police are looking for an unknown assailant who assaulted a security guard at a shopping mall in Prague 3, also threatening guards with a knife before physically assaulting an employee. The attack on Vinohradská Street could lead to three years in prison for the perpetrator. Police said the attack took place in late January and have now posted a photo of the suspect online. The guard threatened with a knife managed to avoid being stabbed in self-defense, although the attacker could still be prosecuted for rioting, threatening and wounding. Anyone who knows the suspect is asked to call the police on 158.

The second wave of expansion of the HBO Max streaming platform in Europe will take place on March 8, 2022, with the arrival of the platform in the Czech Republic in particular. HBO’s Czech launch comes after the platform opened in Scandinavia and Spain last October. HBO Max is currently available in 46 countries across the Americas and Europe, and the next wave of launches will bring that number to 61. The platform will bring new series as well as old favorites to the Czech Republic, including Warner Bros movies. just 45 days after their theatrical release. New movies from Warner Bros. to be included on the platform include The Matrix Resurrections, Dune, King Richard, The Suicide Squad, and Tom and Jerry.

The architects have released new designs for the soon-to-be-built Ostrava Tower, which is expected to be the tallest building in the Czech Republic at a height of 235 meters. At the top of the tower there will be a public viewpoint and a restaurant, while the building will contain a range of commercial and entertainment facilities, offices, a hotel, meeting rooms, apartments and a business center. well-being.

The tower is expected to be completed within the next six years. It will have 56 floors and will be designed by the Chybík+Kristof Architects and Urban Designers studio. It is a controversial project: opponents criticize the planned design and note that the Institute of National Monuments has previously opposed the project.

Czech women’s rights groups have criticized the decision of new justice minister Pavel Blažek to delay the ratification of the Istanbul Convention for a year. The Convention aims to end violence against women, including domestic violence, while addressing issues such as forced marriages, female genital mutilation and other forms of abuse.

Jitka Poláková, head of the proFem organization, said the cabinet’s decision to delay ratification “is a sign that Czechia is a society that does not unambiguously oppose violence against women”. The delay is part of wider concerns about the lack of protection for women in Czech society; Zdena Prokopova from Rosa NGInasmuch asO said that “if someone faces life-threatening danger and needs immediate help, the country lacks crisis centers and asylum houses”.

The Czech National Security Council expressed concern over Russian moves suggesting the possibility of aggression against Ukraine, calling for a diplomatic solution to the situation, according to Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The Prime Minister said the Czech Republic must prepare for the impacts of any potential conflict.

According to the council, Ukraine is not currently asking for more military aid from the Czech Republic. But further assistance could be discussed when Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský visits Ukraine next week. Lipavský said the Czech Republic’s “fundamental interest” is to maintain peace and security in Eastern Europe, and the country considers any use of force by Russia to be unacceptable. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan meanwhile said that the Czech Republic is ready to provide humanitarian aid wherever it is needed.

Czechs benefit from record low prices in Polish stores. Bargains are available as the zloty is at an all-time high against the Czech koruna, while Poland has also reduced or eliminated taxes on bread, meat and dairy products altogether. The country’s border supermarkets therefore saw masses of Czechs arriving to buy food.

Prices are also advantageous for fuels, gasoline and diesel being much cheaper in Poland than in neighboring countries. The Polish government recently introduced a zero VAT rate for basic foodstuffs for six months to mitigate the effects of a sharp rise in inflation.

Czech President Miloš Zeman will appoint a new president of the Supreme Administrative Court on Wednesday afternoon, with Prague Castle due to announce the candidate’s name today. Former court boss Michal Mazanec ended his term at the end of last year to retire at 70.

Zeman can only choose the president of the court from among its judges, with a ten-year term. Justice Minister Pavel Blažek previously said that three candidates, Filip Dienstbier, Barbara Pořízková and Karel Šimka were in the running. Appointing the head of the court is not exclusively a presidential power, so Zeman will need the approval of Prime Minister Petr Fiala.