Czech news in brief for July 23: Wednesday’s top headlines

The Czech Senate is expected to approve stricter asylum and migration laws aimed at streamlining processes and curbing abuse. The bill allows authorities to expel repeat offenders, limit social benefits, and access mobile data for identification. It also enables rejection of Ukrainian refugees with EU protection elsewhere. Courts must act faster, and new epidemiological exams will be required. The law supports EU migration pact goals.

Hepatitis A cases in Czechia have surged past 900 this year, with 10 deaths reported up from two last year. The outbreak affects regions like Prague and Central Bohemia, and is spreading rapidly among drug users and at camps. Most infected are children and young adults. Officials urge better hygiene and vaccination, especially for travelers. Contaminated food, water, and poor sanitation remain key transmission risks.

The Czech Foreign Ministry is advising citizens in Georgia to avoid protests and public gatherings due to ongoing unrest. Those caught on CCTV near demonstrations could face legal consequences. Protests in Georgia, ongoing for 236 days, began after the government suspended EU integration efforts. Czech officials also recommend steering clear of government buildings and following embassy guidance for safety.

The Czech Republic now has more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations than traditional gas stations, with over 3,180 units nationwide—double the number from three years ago. Operators like ČEZ and PRE report record usage, with charging activity and electricity consumption surging. EV registration is also climbing, with nearly 7,000 new vehicles this year, reflecting growing interest in electric mobility across the country.

Slovak director Tereza Nvotová’s new film Father, inspired by real events, will premiere in the Horizons section of the Venice Film Festival. A Slovak-Czech-Polish co-production, the film stars Milan Ondrík as a loving father whose life is upended by tragedy. Nvotová describes it as a story of “deep and tested love.” The Slovak premiere is set for Sept. 11, with the Czech debut following on Sept. 18.