News

Report: Czech Republic has Europe’s third worst level of modern slavery

The Czech Republic has the third worst situation in Europe when it comes to modern slavery, according to a report by the Walk Free Foundation. The human rights group says there are almost 38,000 people in the country who can be regarded as modern-day slaves. The Walk Free Foundation includes in its definition of modern slavery forced work, the sale or abuse of children, debt bondage in which children are forced to work for adults to whom their parents owe money and trafficking in people. In Europe, only Albania and Montenegro received a lower rating in the Global Slavery Index, while Hungary tied with the Czech Republic in third.

Czech president begins state visit to Ukraine

The Czech president, Miloš Zeman, has begun a three-day state visit to Ukraine. Prior to his departure for Kiev, the Czech embassy in the city said his visit would focus on fostering closer cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union. Mr. Zeman is due to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yanukovych, and to discuss with local politicians the situation surrounding the imprisoned former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko.

Social Democrats on track to come first but support down, poll indicates

The Social Democrats should come first in next weekend’s elections with 23 percent of the vote, suggests a freshly released opinion poll by the TNS Aisa agency. However, the same survey put the party on 29 percent less than a month ago. ANO 2011 and the Communists have improved on previous figures, with, respectively, 16 and 14 percent of respondents saying they would vote for them. The new poll suggests TOP 09, the Civic Democrats, the Christian Democrats and Dawn would also make it into the lower house.

Kuba: Civic Democrats could enter coalition with Social Democrats

The acting chairman of the right-wing Civic Democrats, Martin Kuba, says his party could enter a coalition government with the Social Democrats. He told TV station Prima that similar alliances had been forged in recent times in the neighbouring states of Austria and Germany. However, the Civic Democrats’ election leader, Miroslava Němcová, said she could not envisage such a coalition. The Social Democrats have ruled it out entering a cabinet with either her party or the other main right-wing party, TOP 09.

Health minister says health insurer will receive large loan soon

The minister of health, Martin Holcát, says the Czech Republic’s largest health insurer VZP should receive a CZK 1.5 billion loan from the Czech state by next month. Mr. Holcát made the comments on a Czech Television debate show on Sunday, adding that he was looking at ways to find another CZK 1 billion for VZP, which is struggling financially. The minister also said some parties’ pre-electoral pledge to abolish hospital fees would cause a shortfall of CZK 5.5 billion in the healthcare system; he said they should make clear where they would find the cash.

Signal festival of light comes to close

The first Signal festival of light comes to a close in Prague on Sunday night. The four-night event has presented four video mapping projects turning buildings in the city into huge screens and dozens of light-based installations, drawing large crowds and receiving international media attention. The organizers say they are considering holding the festival again in 2014.

Čech reaches 300 games for Chelsea

The Czech soccer star Petr Čech played his 300th game for Chelsea on Saturday, helping the London club to a 4:1 win over Cardiff. The goalkeeper, who is 31, has won a slew of trophies with Chelsea since joining them in 2004, including the Champions League. Čech has 105 caps for the Czech national team.

Weather

It should be mainly fair in the next few days, with temperatures expected to reach up to 20 degrees Celsius.