Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Andrej Babiš has accused the Czech government of halting major transport projects because of insufficient funding, a claim that Transport Minister Martin Kupka strongly denied.

Following a meeting with the head of the Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD), Radek Mátl, Babiš said that the shortage of money was leading to the suspension of key road and rail developments. He cited several examples, including the planned motorway between Jaroměř and Trutnov, sections of the Prague Ring Road, and the railway modernization projects between Hradec Králové and Pardubice as well as Prague and Kladno. “It’s complete paralysis. The whole transport infrastructure has stopped,” he told reporters.

Minister Kupka dismissed the allegations as misleading, insisting that all active construction projects are continuing. “The railways are being modernized, and the highways are being built,” he said in an interview with Czech Television. According to the Transport Ministry, more than 276 kilometres of motorways and first-class roads are currently under construction, with 67.5 kilometres expected to be completed by the end of the year. Kupka added that land purchases for the Prague Ring Road are still underway and fully funded for 2025.

While the minister admitted that securing financing for future years will be challenging, he attributed the pressure to the accelerated preparation of new projects, not to funding cuts. “Because preparations have advanced so rapidly, the next government will need to find tens of billions of crowns more to keep pace,” he said on the social platform X.

Under the draft 2026 budget, the State Fund for Transport Infrastructure (SFDI) will receive CZK 144.6 billion, about CZK 15.7 billion less than in 2025. The Road Construction Association has warned that the reduction could threaten the timely completion of the motorway network and delay the start of new projects.

Babiš also met on Sunday with Fire Chief Vladimír Vlček, who he said is short CZK 670 million for volunteer firefighters and lacks roughly 1,000 service positions. Vlček confirmed the talks centred on the fire service budget but declined to comment on speculation that he might take a government post in the new administration.

ŘSD director Mátl, meanwhile, said that while funding constraints remain a concern, no ongoing projects are being suspended. He expressed willingness to continue in his role, adding that future staffing decisions will depend on the next transport minister.

The exchange highlights mounting political tension over infrastructure spending as the Czech Republic faces tighter fiscal conditions and rising construction costs. While Babiš portrays the slowdown as a sign of government mismanagement, the Transport Ministry maintains that work is progressing and that the challenge lies in sustaining long-term investment levels amid a shrinking budget.

Source: CTK

The leadership of the Czech capital is set for change as the Pirate Party begins the process of selecting a new deputy mayor to replace Zdeněk Hřib, who recently won a seat in parliament. The move opens a period of political adjustment inside Prague’s coalition government, already strained by differing priorities among its partners.

Hřib, a prominent figure in Czech politics and former mayor of Prague, confirmed that he plans to leave his executive post within six months but will continue to serve as an ordinary city councillor. He said the nomination process for his successor will begin this week within the Pirates’ council group, followed by talks with coalition allies. Once a candidate is chosen, the party’s wider membership will need to approve any amendment to the existing coalition agreement.

The decision comes at a sensitive moment for Prague’s governing alliance, which brings together the Pirates, the centrist group STAN, and the Spolu coalition led by TOP 09. Hřib’s departure could trigger broader reshuffling within the city’s leadership team, with other positions — including that of deputy mayor Jiří Pospíšil — also potentially changing hands. Pospíšil has signalled he intends to step aside after serving through months of political stalemate over his planned replacement.

Tensions have been building within the coalition over several policy issues, particularly transport and environmental planning. The Pirates have long pushed for reforms to the city’s parking system and tighter limits on vehicle access in the historic centre, arguing that Prague needs a more sustainable mobility strategy. Their partners in the Spolu bloc have resisted some of these proposals, warning of economic and logistical disruption. These disagreements have slowed progress on several parts of the city’s development agenda.

For the Pirates, the upcoming leadership vote is about more than filling a vacant seat — it is also an opportunity to reassert their influence in city politics after a year of uneasy cooperation. Party insiders say the new deputy mayor will need to balance continuity with renewed energy, maintaining relations within the coalition while advancing key elements of the party’s urban policy platform.

Hřib’s transition to national politics marks another step in his career but also highlights the blurred lines between local and parliamentary responsibilities in Czech public life. His continued presence as a city councillor will keep him involved in municipal affairs even after stepping down from the executive role.

Observers expect coalition negotiations to unfold over the coming weeks, with all parties keen to avoid destabilising the capital’s administration. If agreement can be reached, the changes could be approved in one vote by the city assembly later this autumn. If not, Prague’s coalition may again find itself navigating a delicate balance between political pragmatism and party priorities.

Source: CTK

Yields on Czech government bonds declined on Monday, signaling renewed investor confidence following the weekend’s parliamentary election. The shift suggests that fears of a potential fiscal loosening under a new administration have eased, easing borrowing costs for the state after weeks of pre-election volatility.

Prior to the vote, yields on the 10-year Czech government bond climbed to around 4.5 percent — their highest level in nearly two years — as markets priced in political uncertainty and concerns about a possible rise in public spending. Following the results, yields have edged down to roughly 4.4 percent, reflecting improved sentiment among both domestic and foreign investors.

“Some investors worried that a change in government might bring a looser fiscal stance and faster debt accumulation,” said Jan Bureš, chief economist at Patria Finance. “Now that the election outcome points to a coalition that emphasizes budget responsibility, those concerns are fading.”

The victory of Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement, which secured 80 seats in parliament, has been welcomed by markets as a sign of stability. ANO is expected to form a coalition with the Motorists party and possibly the SPD. Analysts say that the inclusion of the Motorists, who have pledged to support balanced budgets by the end of the decade, is helping to reassure investors.

“The decline in yields shows investors are reacting positively to the political configuration,” said Tomáš Pfeiler, portfolio manager at Cyrrus. “With the ANO-Motorists alliance taking shape, the market is reading this as a sign that fiscal discipline will remain a key priority.”

Analysts also note that the likely exclusion of more radical parties from the governing coalition has contributed to the relief rally in bonds. “The market sees this as a pragmatic outcome,” Bureš added. “The absence of parties pushing for expansive public spending reduces the risk of sudden fiscal shocks.”

The Czech bond market has been volatile in recent months, reflecting wider uncertainty across Central Europe as elections and slowing growth tested investor confidence. With inflation now easing and the Czech National Bank keeping rates steady, analysts believe government borrowing costs may continue to stabilize in the coming weeks — provided that fiscal policy remains predictable.

“The reaction we’re seeing today is essentially a vote of confidence,” Pfeiler said. “Investors are giving the new government the benefit of the doubt — but they’ll be watching closely to see if promises of budget discipline turn into action.”

Source: CTK

Inflation in the Czech Republic continued to cool in September, dropping to 2.3% year-on-year from 2.5% in August, according to a preliminary estimate released by the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ). Consumer prices fell by 0.6% compared to the previous month, marking one of the sharpest monthly declines this year.

The figures indicate that inflation is now approaching the Czech National Bank’s 2% target, supported by cheaper food and fuel. The slowdown follows a summer peak in June when prices were up 2.9% annually before gradually easing through July and August.

Energy remained the only category showing year-on-year price declines, falling by 3.3%. Without energy prices included, inflation would have stood at 3.1%. Price growth also moderated for food and other goods. The cost of food, alcohol, and tobacco rose 2.9% in September, down from 4% a month earlier, while goods prices increased just 0.8%. Service prices, however, held steady with a 4.7% rise, suggesting that underlying inflation pressures remain in parts of the economy less affected by global price shifts.

Economists say the weaker-than-expected data was largely driven by lower food prices, particularly for butter and seasonal fruit, as well as a continued fall in fuel costs. The koruna’s appreciation against the dollar and lower global oil prices helped ease transport-related expenses.

“The main reason for the decline was the drop in food prices, followed by cheaper fuel,” said David Marek, chief economist at Deloitte. “The strengthening of the koruna also played a role, cushioning the impact of global energy prices.”

Other analysts noted that the timing of this year’s harvest may have shifted the usual seasonal pattern. “Food prices rose unexpectedly in August but fell back in September, suggesting that the effects of this year’s harvest were simply delayed,” said Vít Hradil, chief economist at Investika.

While the overall slowdown is encouraging, most analysts caution against expecting an immediate policy shift from the Czech National Bank. “Inflation came in below the central bank’s forecast of 2.6%, but the CNB is unlikely to react by cutting interest rates,” said Radomír Jáč, chief economist at Generali Investments CEE. “Price growth in services remains elevated, which will make policymakers cautious.”

The CNB’s key interest rate currently stands at 3.5%. Many expect the central bank to keep rates unchanged for several more months to ensure inflation remains anchored near its target.

Jan Bureš, chief economist at Patria Finance, added that the downward trend in food and energy prices may continue into the final quarter of the year. “We could see inflation move closer to 2% in October or November, especially if the disinflationary trend in energy persists,” he said.

For now, the Czech Republic remains one of the few countries in the EU where inflation has returned close to pre-crisis levels, offering a sign of relief for households after two years of price volatility. Still, economists warn that service-sector inflation and wage growth could keep underlying pressures alive into 2026.

Source: CTK

Czech voters have handed a fresh mandate to former prime minister Andrej Babiš, whose centrist-populist ANO movement emerged as the clear winner in this weekend’s parliamentary election. The result marks a shift in the country’s political mood after years of centre-right rule and could reshape Prague’s approach to both domestic and European affairs.

According to early results, ANO won roughly a third of the national vote, well ahead of the parties in the outgoing government led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala. While Babiš’s victory was decisive, it fell short of an outright majority, leaving him dependent on smaller right-wing or nationalist parties to assemble a workable coalition. That task may prove complicated, as some potential partners are demanding high-profile positions or policy concessions.

The election was widely seen as a referendum on the direction of the country after a turbulent period of inflation, rising living costs, and social division. Babiš capitalized on voter fatigue with the austerity-minded Fiala government, promising to boost wages, cut taxes, and reduce household expenses. His campaign focused on restoring economic stability and protecting “national interests,” a message that resonated strongly with voters outside major cities.

For Fiala’s coalition, which had presented itself as a pro-European, reform-driven administration, the result is a major setback. The outgoing government had invested heavily in foreign policy—supporting Ukraine, strengthening cooperation within the EU and NATO, and backing ambitious climate initiatives—but critics argued it failed to address domestic pressures at home. Many voters expressed frustration that while the Czech Republic had taken on a prominent role in Europe, ordinary families were struggling to cope with energy costs and stagnant wages.

Babiš’s return to power raises questions about the Czech Republic’s future course in Europe. He has long been critical of Brussels on issues such as migration quotas, climate targets, and the distribution of EU funds, yet he has stopped short of calling for any withdrawal from the bloc. His likely coalition partners, however, may push for a more confrontational stance toward EU institutions, potentially aligning Prague more closely with the governments of Budapest and Bratislava.

Foreign policy observers are also watching closely to see whether the Czech Republic will maintain its strong backing for Ukraine. While President Petr Pavel has urged continuity in military and humanitarian support, Babiš has signaled a desire to prioritize domestic spending and has questioned the scale of Prague’s aid commitments. How these differences play out could determine whether the country remains one of Kyiv’s most outspoken allies.

At home, the new government faces a delicate balancing act. Babiš, a billionaire businessman and one of the country’s most polarizing figures, will have to reassure investors and allies that he intends to govern pragmatically, not ideologically. His critics worry that a coalition dependent on fringe movements could erode institutional checks or deepen divisions in Czech politics. Supporters, however, say his victory represents a needed correction—an end to technocratic politics and a return to leadership focused on household prosperity.

The weeks ahead will test Babiš’s ability to turn his electoral win into a functioning government. Coalition talks are expected to be protracted, and the president retains the power to veto ministerial appointments. Whether this new chapter leads to greater stability or renewed confrontation will depend on how far Babiš is willing to compromise—and how united his potential allies prove to be once the governing begins.