Czech news in brief for May 7: Thursday’s top afternoon headlines

Nearly a third of Czech citizens would vote for Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’ ANO movement if elections were held today, according to an NMS poll. Second and third places would go to the center-right opposition ODS with about 15 percent and STAN at 14.5 percent. Both the far-right SPD and liberal Pirates would pass the 5 percent-threshold, while the Motorists – part of the current government – wouldn’t make the cut.

Perpetrators used explosives to rob an ATM in Prague-Kunratice early Thursday, May 7, stealing approximately CZK 300,000. Police reported to that the suspects fled on electric scooters, matching a specialized method used during a similar April heist. While a separate box containing one million crowns was discovered nearby in a bakery on the same day, investigators have officially ruled out any connection between the cash find and the robbery.

Nearly three-quarters of Czechs trust the army, the police and election results, according to a survey by the CVVM polling agency looking at the population’s level of confidence towards key institutions. More than half of respondents also trust the banks and the courts, and just 48 percent – rather ironically – see opinion surveys as trustworthy. Czechs are the most skeptical about churches, private media, political parties and social media, according to the survey.

About 11.5 percent of the Czech population is considered at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to the latest figures published by Eurostat, the lowest rate in the EU and about half the European average. While suitable for international comparison, some experts noted that the indicator fails to take into account real purchasing power of households across EU member states.

Although temperatures will remain under 20 degrees on Friday and clouds should linger over parts of the country, weather across Czechia is expected to become warm and sunny on Saturday and Sunday, according to the latest forecast by the Hydrometeorological Institute. Temperatures could reach up to 27 degrees in Moravia on Sunday.

Supermarkets and other large stores with an area of more than 200 square meters will have to close on Friday, a public holiday, with compliance set to be monitored by agents of the Czech Trade Inspectorate. Smaller shops will be allowed to remain open, although some may decide to close down for the day, as well as pharmacies, gas stations or shops located in train stations and airports.