Czech news in brief for April 13: Sunday’s top headlines

The opposition ANO party dropped to 35.5 percent support in March, down two points from February, according to a Kantar CZ poll for Czech Television. The Together coalition rose to 19 percent support, up 1.5 points. STAN, SPD, Motorists, and Pirates each polled above 6 percent. The Enough! party remained below the 5 percent threshold. The poll does not reflect a new cooperation deal among right-wing parties signed in late March.

Expo 2025 officially opened on Saturday in Osaka, Japan, with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský attending the ceremony alongside Japan’s emperor. Prague’s pavilion, designed by Apropos Architects, opens Sunday. Czech artists, including the Czech Philharmonic, will perform during the event. The Expo runs through Oct. 13. Questions remain over Czech pavilion costs, which have risen to nearly CZK 286 million, according to media reports.

Spain defeated Czechia 2–1 in Ostrava to secure a place in the Billie Jean King Cup finals. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro sealed the victory with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Linda Nosková. Earlier, Cristina Bucsa beat Marie Bouzková 7-5, 6-1. Though the Czech team won the doubles match, Spain, led by new captain Carla Suárez Navarro, advances to the Finals in Shenzhen this September.

Czech lawmakers will meet this week to vote on key proposals, including a new housing support law aimed at people at risk of homelessness. Other items include rules for lobbying, increased care benefits for the disabled, and stricter migration and asylum regulations. The controversial housing bill has drawn criticism from opposition parties for its cost and complexity.

More than 9,600 people visited Prague Castle on Friday for an open day that allowed free access to normally closed representative rooms, officials said. Visitors also explored exhibitions, gardens, and historic sites like St. Vitus Cathedral. The event is held annually. Under former President Miloš Zeman, strict security checks drew criticism for limiting public access, but the tradition has continued under President Petr Pavel.

An explosion and fire at a Polička munitions plant on March 25 caused damage estimated at CZK 120 million, officials said on Saturday. One worker was seriously injured. The blast affected a hall leased by STV Group for munitions disposal, likely due to equipment failure. Police are investigating for negligent endangerment. Company officials dismissed media speculation of sabotage, calling it a standard industrial accident.

Czechia paid CZK 268 million last year to meet obligations under about 60 international environmental treaties, the Environment Ministry told senators. Costs included membership in bodies like the Montreal Protocol and IUCN. The total state budget for international organization fees reached CZK 2.7 billion. Senators debated the value of these commitments, including a failed proposal to exit the International Whaling Commission during a recent Senate session.