Czech news in brief for June 6: Friday’s top headlines

Czech opposition party ANO has collected enough signatures to call a no-confidence vote against PM Petr Fiala’s government, leader Alena Schillerová said Wednesday. The move follows a scandal involving a bitcoin donation worth CZK 1 billion to the Justice Ministry from a convicted felon. ANO criticized the government’s handling of the case and the ODS party’s move to block extended debate in parliament.

Czech police are warning WhatsApp users about a new scam where fraudsters pose as friends and send messages with fake links. Clicking the link and entering a code gives the scammer access to your account, chats, and media, allowing the scam to spread further. Police urge the public to avoid suspicious links, never share personal information, and always verify unexpected messages—even from known contacts—to avoid falling victim.

Prague Castle will close to the public at 3 p.m. on June 10 for a large-scale security drill simulating a violent attack, police said. The exercise, involving 300 extras and multiple emergency units, is the first of its kind at the historic site. It’s part of broader national efforts to improve protection of soft targets, such as cultural venues and public spaces.

Czech PM Petr Fiala said Wednesday that Czechia will continue to back Ukraine and push for a tough 18th round of EU sanctions against Russia. He criticized Slovakia’s recent move to reject further sanctions, calling it a threat to European unity and security. Czech leaders, including the foreign minister, emphasized the importance of sustained pressure on Moscow and condemned the Slovak parliament’s stance as politically and morally harmful.

The Prague Planetarium will reopen June 14–15 after a two-year, 300 million crown renovation featuring Europe’s first LED dome. The 22-meter dome, the largest of its kind globally, offers high-resolution, immersive experiences. The upgraded facility will host science shows, concerts, and cultural events. Tickets for the reopening weekend cost 100 CZK and will be available on-site only.

RFE/RL staff remain committed despite U.S. funding cuts, Vice-President Nicola Careem said during a visit by Czech President Pavel and Dutch Queen Maxima. Pavel stressed the station’s role in countering propaganda. The Trump-era cuts and external threats have deepened the journalists’ determination to continue, station leaders said. Dutch and Czech leaders strongly supported press freedom and praised the station’s mission amid global disinformation threats.

Czech energy giant ČEZ was the country’s top corporate taxpayer in 2024, paying CZK 15.5 billion in income tax, followed by Škoda Auto with CZK 7.4 billion, the Financial Administration said. Hyundai ranked third. The 20 highest-paying firms contributed CZK 54.4 billion in total. Several banks also placed high, with Česká spořitelna, J&T Banka, and Komerční banka rounding out the top six.