Czech news in brief for May 31: Saturday’s top headlines

Prime Minister Petr Fiala confirmed he has a candidate to replace Justice Minister Pavel Blažek, who resigned over a controversial bitcoin donation case. Fiala said he would announce further details early next week but did not reveal a name. Blažek, who maintains he acted in good faith, stepped down to protect the government’s reputation. The case is under investigation for suspected abuse of authority and money laundering.

Opposition leader Andrej Babiš urged Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura to resign, asserting he must have known about the Justice Ministry’s acceptance of bitcoin from a convicted drug trafficker. Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned over the matter, though he denied wrongdoing. Babiš contends the entire government should step down, labeling it the most corrupt ever.

Czech President Petr Pavel will attend the Bucharest Nine (B9) summit in Vilnius on Monday to discuss NATO’s defense priorities, his office confirmed Thursday. The meeting will focus on bolstering NATO’s eastern flank, increasing defense spending, and supporting Ukraine. Leaders from B9 nations, Nordic countries, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will participate. Pavel’s visit includes opening a Czech-Lithuanian relations exhibition with Lithuania’s First Lady.

President Petr Pavel has dismissed Czech Technical University (ČVUT) Rector Vojtěch Petráček, following a proposal by the Academic Senate, the Presidential Office announced Thursday. The Senate cited Petráček’s failure to manage the university’s finances, repeated disregard of recommendations, and transparency issues. Petráček’s term was to end in 2026. Vice-Rector Zbyněk Škvor is expected to lead the university in the interim.

Giant carbon filters have started operating in Hustopeče nad Bečvou to pump and treat benzene-contaminated groundwater after February’s train accident. The three 20-tonne filters, part of a remediation project led by Dekonta, will absorb toxins for shipment to Austria. Cleanup costs are not yet final, but the Railway Administration has signed contracts worth CZK 300 million. The site also includes flood protection barriers.

A police officer accidentally left a gun unattended in a toilet in the lower house of parliament for several minutes on Wednesday, Seznam Zprávy reports. Martin Plíšek, head of the lower house office, said the responsibility lies with the Police Protection Service and its officer. He expects a detailed written report. The incident happened during a special event with heightened security. This follows a similar case in March, when an assistant to MP Helena Valková left a gun in a toilet.