Latest Czech Republic government News

Czech farmers block traffic in Prague in protest against the government and EU agriculture policies

Mar. 07, 2024 08:34 AM EST

PRAGUE (AP) — Czech farmers blocked traffic in Prague on Thursday, cramming the streets with hundreds of tractors and other vehicles as they rallied against the government and agriculture policies set by the European Union. Public transport came to a standstill during the morning...

The Czech parliament toughens gun laws after the worst mass shooting in the country's history

Mar. 06, 2024 12:15 PM EST

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Parliament’s upper house, the Senate followed the lower house on Wednesday to approve changes in the gun law that tighten requirements for owning a weapon following the worst mass killing in the nation’s history. The legislation now must be signed by...

Czech and French leaders pledge support for Ukraine while looking for ways to help war-torn country

Mar. 05, 2024 12:19 PM EST

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech and French presidents said Tuesday their countries remain united in their support of Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression and are ready to look for new ways of helping the Ukrainians succeed. “We agree that the only option for us is to continue...

Czech Republic's lower house rejects marriage for same-sex couples but allows limited adoptions

Feb. 28, 2024 12:18 PM EST

PRAGUE (AP) — The lower house of Parliament in the Czech Republic on Wednesday rejected same-sex marriage while affirming existing unions called partnerships for gay couples. The new legislation, passed in a 123-36 vote, also doesn't allow same-sex couples to adopt children aside...

Germany and Poland say they're not sending troops to Ukraine as the Kremlin warns of a wider war

Feb. 27, 2024 19:10 PM EST

BRUSSELS (AP) — European military heavyweights Germany and Poland affirmed Tuesday that they would not be sending troops to Ukraine, after reports that some Western countries may be considering doing so as the war with Russia enters its third year. The head of NATO also said the...

Deep divisions on Russia's war in Ukraine were evident at a meeting of 4 Central European countries

Feb. 27, 2024 10:23 AM EST

PRAGUE (AP) — Four Central European countries are deeply divided over the Russian war against Ukraine and how to resolve the conflict, the prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia said on Tuesday. The four post-communist countries form an informal...

Third suspect in plot to kill Iranian American author on US soil extradited to face charges

Feb. 21, 2024 16:48 PM EST

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A suspect charged in a plot to kill an Iranian American author and activist has been extradited from the Czech Republic to face charges, the Justice Department said Wednesday. Polad Omarov was arrested by Czech officials in January 2023, when charges were...

France and Ukraine to sign a security agreement in Paris in the presence of President Zelenskyy

Feb. 15, 2024 12:54 PM EST

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron will sign a bilateral security agreement with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Friday in Paris to provide “long-term support” to the war-ravaged country which has been battling Russia's full-scale invasion for nearly two years. ...

Former Czech Prime Minister Babis acquitted again in a $2 million fraud case

Feb. 14, 2024 10:29 AM EST

PRAGUE (AP) — A Prague court on Wednesday acquitted for the second time former Prime Minister Andrej Babis of fraud charges in a $2 million case involving European Union subsidies. Babis had pleaded not guilty and repeatedly said the charges against him were politically motivated....

Former Czech leader Babis loses final appeal over collaboration with communist-era secret police

Feb. 07, 2024 09:48 AM EST

PRAGUE (AP) — Former Czech populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis lost his final appeal in Slovakia Wednesday in a case concerning allegations that he collaborated with communist-era secret police in what was then Czechoslovakia. Babis, who was born in Slovakia, was suing the...