Weekly review no. 35
31.05.2024
Czech Republic is ice hockey world champion
The whole of the Czech Republic is riding a wave of euphoria. The national ice hockey team's victory at the World Championship at home has sent the whole country into a collective frenzy of joy. Public television recorded viewing figures of an incredible 76% for the final against Switzerland. Apart from public viewing in public squares, the streets were empty.
The Czech Republic won a home World Cup for the first time in 39 years. However, the country had to wait a long 14 years for its 13th title - if you count Czechoslovakia's six titles. The last time the Czechs and superstar David Pastrňák were world champions was at the 2010 World Cup in Germany. This means that the independent Czech Republic has now won more titles than Czechoslovakia. Incidentally, ice hockey fans can look forward to a meeting between Germany and the Czech Republic at the 2025 World Championships in Denmark and Sweden. Both will play each other in the group stage.
After their triumph, the ice hockey heroes were welcomed by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who presented all the players with the Karel Kramář Medal. This is the highest award that the Prime Minister can bestow. President Petr Pavel also received the ice hockey players. But there it was the other way around: the players presented him with a gold medal.
Garrison towns receive funding
From June, the Czech historic garrison towns of Terezín and Josefov will be able to apply for funding from the Czech regional ministry's new program for the preservation and development of garrison towns. A total of 1.2 billion crowns (48 million euros) is available for the next ten years. A further 500 million crowns (20 million euros) can be applied for from the respective districts. The Ministry of Culture has also set up an emergency program for the years 2024 to 2028. This is intended to renovate buildings that are at risk of collapse or have already partially collapsed.
Terezín has also presented plans for the use of the buildings. For example, apartments are to be set up in the former Žižka barracks in Terezín, which is already in danger of collapsing. The former hospital is also to be used by social and health facilities in the future.
The garrison towns built during the Austro-Hungarian era have long been struggling with the decaying building fabric. In Terezín, many buildings have stood empty since the withdrawal of the Czech army in the early 2000s and have not been preserved. Some of them have been gradually renovated with the help of subsidies. There are also repeated problems with the use of the buildings. The number of buildings is simply too high for the relatively small population.
Border controls are extended
Germany once again extends the temporary controls at its borders with the Czech Republic, Poland and Switzerland. This time the measure will be extended by six months, specifically until December 15. The reason given by Germany was to continue to restrict illegal migration and people smuggling. The controls were introduced in October last year. Most recently, they were extended by a quarter of a year until June 15.
The interior ministers of the Czech Republic and Saxony, Vít Rakušan and Armin Schuster, met in mid-May. Both ministers agreed on increased monitoring of illegal migration across the border
Gas transit fees abolished
Germany has abolished the gas transit levy for its neighboring countries. The levy will be abolished at the borders from next year, State Secretary for Economic Affairs Sven Giegold announced in Brussels. The levy has been in place in Germany since fall 2022, but it also affected import companies in other countries that purchase gas via German pipelines. Austria and the Czech Republic therefore accused the German government of hindering the transportation of gas from ports in the Netherlands, for example, as an alternative to supplies from Russia. They spoke of distortion of competition. The EU Commission then put pressure on Germany.
Domestically, the gas storage levy remains in place - and could now increase further for German consumers.
The Czech Minister for Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela (non-party), has welcomed Germany's decision to abolish transit fees for natural gas. It would contribute to strengthening energy security in Central Europe, Síkela wrote on Thursday on X.
Financing of the Beneš Bridge has been clarified
ÚstíThe renovation of the Beneš Bridge in Ústí nad Labem (Aussig) is getting closer. The Ústí district has received the promise of funding from the Integrated Regional Funding Program in the amount of 524 million crowns (almost 21 million euros). The district is contributing 92.5 million crowns (3.7 million euros) from its budget. This means that the renovation of the ageing bridge is financially secure. The construction of a temporary bridge for pedestrians and cyclists is currently laying the foundations for the work, which is due to start next year. In June, the Ústí district will then present the concept of traffic measures for the complete bridge closure. The Beneš Bridge is one of two road bridges in the urban area of Ústí nad Labem. The steel bridge with its characteristic arch was built between 1934 and 1936 and named after the second president of Czechoslovakia.
Renovation has been due for some time, but has been repeatedly postponed. In the meantime, traffic on the bridge has been more restricted. For example, trolleybuses have not been allowed to cross the bridge for years. The bridge has been closed to trucks for some time.
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