Daily news summary

Czech cabinet finalises preparations for 2018 budget

The Czech Cabinet meeting September 25 made final preparations for the 2018 budget.

Most of the major issues had been settled, such as a 475 crown a month increase in pensions and 10 percent increase in wages for state workers, but some outstanding issues have still to be cleared up.

These include how much extra funding can be found for universities. It was eventually decided that 3 billion crowns extra would be found for them.

The target budget deficit for 2018 is 50 billion crowns with more money for spending facilitated by an increase in the expectation of tax and other earnings as a result of the country’s strong economic performance.

A new government formed after elections at the end of October could adjust next year’s budget.

Czech actor Jan Tříska dies after Charles Bridge fall

Czech actor Jan Tříska has died at the age of 80, the news server IDnes reported Monday citing director Jiří Madl.

Tříska was in a serious condition in hospital following a fall from Prague’s Charles Bridge over the weekend.

Tříska was rated one of the most talented actors to emerge in the 1960s. He emigrated to Canada in 1977 and onto the United States where he lived in Los Angeles.

Třiska was known for his many Czech film roles, such as the school teacher in the Oscar nominated film Obecná Škola, and his stage performances, such as his performance in Shakespeare’s King Lear.

Police say they are treating Saturday's fall as an accident but are also seeking witnesses to what happened.

Czech economic confidence at 2017 high in September

Czech economic confidence climbed to its highest level since the start of the year in September, according to the Czech Statistical Office.

The overcall confidence index rose by 0.4 points in September to reach 99.1 points in September, best performance since the start of the year.

The index registered rising confidence in the prospects for the economy from both businesses and consumers. The rise in positive sentiment was strongest from consumers.

Czech president Zeman congratulates Merkel on election win

Czech president Miloš Zeman on Monday sent a telegram of congratulations to German Chancellor Angela Merkel following her victory in parliamentary elections.

Zeman also thanked her for the friendly neighbourly relations developed between the two countries noting though that he and Merkel had different opinions on some key issues.

Merkel’s CDU-CSU won the elections but with a drop in support. She faces forging a new coalition after the Social Democrats vowed to go into opposition after their support slumped to 20.5 percent.

In his message, Zeman made no reference to the strong showing of the far right AfD, which has for the first time won seats in parliament after becoming the third biggest party.

Czech broadcaster Prima sees record profit

The Czech Republic’s second biggest commercial tv broadcaster, FTV Prima, has seen profits increase to record levels.

Net profit for 2016 rose by just over 60 percent to 481 million crowns with earnings up 7 percent to almost 3.0 billion crowns, according to the group’s annual report.

FTV has five tv stations and last year became the second most watched broadcaster following commercial rival, TV Nova. FTV Prima said its success was based on rising ad revenue and its changed commercial policy.

Defence minister confirms exhibition paratroop jumps stopped indefinitely

Defence Minister Martin Stropnický confirmed on Sunday that exhibition parachutist jumps at public events by the military were banned indefinitely following an accident in Letná Plain during Army Days in which three people were injured. The ban will continue at least until an investigation of what happened is complete.

In the accident, a paratrooper lost control during landing due to a sudden gust of wind and missed his target, hitting members of the public.

The minister said that two of the three injured would be released in the coming hours.

Czech politicians welcome German election results but see third-place AfD finish as warning

Czech politicians on Sunday welcomed the election results in neighbouring Germany, the fourth time the CDU-CSU have won led by Angela Merkel.

Many, however, saw the third-place finish of the nationalist far rIght AfD (Alternative for Germany) as a warning sign. The head of Czech party ANO, Andrej Babiš, suggested that AfD were the 'real' election winners.

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka called the result a clear victory for Merkel and expressed the conviction she would soon form a stable government, which he called important for both Europe and for Czech-German relations. He added that those who cheered on the AfD today did not see beyond the tip of their nose and that migrants and the EU being targeted 'today' would be joined by Czechs and Poles 'tomorrow'.

The BBC reported that dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the anti-Islam and anti-migrant party's headquarters in Berlin, following the result.

Plzeň defender David Limberský faces surgery

In football, key defender for Czech league leaders Viktoria Plzeň, David Limberský, faces surgery and is likely to be out for several weeks, the club has said.

Limberský suffered face injuries during Saturday’s game against Mladá Boleslav and had to be taken from the pitch to hospital. He now faces surgery, the club has said.

The player will certainly miss Thursday’s Europa League game against Israel’s Beer Sheva and possibly both upcoming league matches against Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague.

Weather

Tuesday is likely to be cloudy with rain and some sunny intervals. Top daytime temperatures will range between 16 and 21 degrees Celsius.