Press Advisories
15. 6. 2020
Bill on substitute child support heading to Parliament, government also to help municipalities with roads damaged by loggers
Single parents of children whose other parent is neglecting to pay child support will be able to apply for up to CZK 3 000 a month for a period of two years. The Andrej Babiš government approved a draft act on substitute child support on Monday 15 June 2020, having gathered in person at Straka Academy for the first time since the coronavirus epidemic broke out. It also approved financial aid for municipalities to repair local roads damaged as a result of the logging of bark-beetle-infested wood and appointed a new deputy minister for civil service.
11. 6. 2020
V4 prime ministers discuss Coronavirus financial aid and EU multiannual financial framework
The Visegrad Four prime ministers met for their last summit under the current Czech presidency at Lednice Castle on Thursday, 11 June 2020 to discuss current issues and problems. The main topic was the preparation of a common stance on the future European budget and the EU multiannual financial framework.
8. 6. 2020
The government will propose increasing the budget deficit to 500 billion, has prepared a law mitigating the impacts of lower tax revenue to villages
The state will help municipalities that lose part of their tax revenues this year as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The draft of the emergency act was approved by Andrej Babiš’s government on Monday, 8 June 2020. The government will also put before the Chamber of Deputies a proposal for increasing the state budget deficit for this year to CZK 500 billion.
6. 6. 2020
NOTIFICATION, 11 June 2020: Talks between V4 prime ministers at Lednice
On Thursday 11 June 2020, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is holding a meeting of the prime ministers of the Visegrád Group.
5. 6. 2020
Government decides that border controls will end at noon on Friday, Czechs do not have to provide a test
At noon on Friday, state border controls with Austria and Germany, put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, are coming to an end. This decision was made by the government of Andrej Babiš at an extraordinary meeting on Friday, 5 June 2020. Czechs will no longer need to provide a negative Covid-19 test or go into quarantine after returning from these countries or from Slovakia or Hungary.
3. 6. 2020
Czech/Slovak border to open at midnight for citizens of both countries, agree prime ministers Andrej Babiš and Igor Matovič
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš received the Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovič on Wednesday 3 June 2020 during his first official visit to the Czech Republic. The main themes of the call were cooperation on the issue of the reopening of the common borders, a resolution of the effects of the covid-19 epidemic and the mutual relations of both states. As part of the EU agenda, both prime ministers also discussed the multi-year financial framework and further cooperation of the Visegrád states.
1. 6. 2020
Government provides millions in financial assistance to sports organisations. "Traffic-light" travel allowed
Organisers of sporting events, sports clubs and organisations that suffered economic losses during the lockdown will be able to apply for a special state subsidy. Following a Government decision on Monday, 1 June 2020 the COVID-Sport subsidy program will have one billion Czech Crowns available. The Ministers also intend to ease the situation of Czech guides. They have therefore proposed to postpone the new obligation to acquire a national guide card by three months.
25. 5. 2020
Government to propose lowering VAT on accommodations and tickets, has decided to open all road and railway crossings with Germany and Austria
Organisers of sports and cultural events as well as those who run accommodation services could save five percent off VAT. Truckload hauliers could even save a quarter on the road tax. This as envisaged by a new bill amending certain acts in the field of taxation that was approved by the Andrej Babiš government on Monday 25 May 2020.
19. 5. 2020
Prime Minister Babiš discusses impacts of coronavirus crisis with V4 prime ministers and German Chancellor
The prime ministers of the countries of the Visegrád four and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel met today at a summit of the countries of the V4 group and Germany to discuss the impacts of the coronavirus crisis - primarily the easing of measures at border crossings and resolving the economic effects. As the presiding country, the Czech Republic organised the summit, held through a video conference. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš then also negotiated bilaterally with the German Chancellor.
