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Current AffairsSpidla to offer cash incentives to boost baby production
It is a well-known fact that the Czech population is ageing. Within 30 years, about one third of the population is expected to be over 60. More and more young couples are having their first child after 30 and families with more than two children are less and less common. One reason is that unlike the generation of their parents living under Communism, young people now are free to enjoy a wider range of opportunities - travelling, studying, pursuing a career - and as a result they're putting off starting a family. And having children in the Czech Republic is also a costly business. The ruling Social Democratic Party think they know how to bring more Czech babies into the world. More from Pavla Horakova.
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Current Affairs Few Czechs living abroad register for first chance to vote in Czech elections
The general elections which take place in the middle of next month will make history, as it is the first time that Czechs living abroad will be able to vote. For many years there were calls for Czechs living overseas to be given the right to participate in elections from abroad. However, now that legislation has finally been passed giving them this opportunity, only a tiny number have registered.
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Current Affairs Government to merge power companies before elections
The Czech government has approved a merger of the Czech national power utility CEZ with eight regional power distribution companies in an effort to make CEZ more attractive for foreign investors and help the company survive tough competition on the European market. However, the opposition has severely criticised the decision, which they say is detrimental to Czech consumers.
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Current Affairs Pre-election atmosphere at Prague Uprising ceremony
Sunday marked the 57th anniversary of the Prague Uprising, the bloody events at the end of World War Two when the people of the Czech capital took up arms against the German occupiers. The uprising, organised by the Czech resistance, began with a call to arms, broadcast on the radio, and soon became to a large extent a battle for control of the radio station itself. Around 30,000 people spontaneously joined the freedom fighters in the Czech capital. Dozens laid down their lives protecting the Radio building here on Vinohradska Street, where one of the toughest battles took place. 1,691 civilians lost their lives in other street battles, defending the barricades they built against the Nazi army. Every year, a commemorative ceremony takes place outside the Czech Radio building. Pavla Horakova was there on Sunday.
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Current Affairs Havel risks political backlash over post-election manoeuvres
The role of Czech President is a largely symbolic one, and the head of state enjoys only limited powers to influence the political direction of the country. But the president does play a leading role immediately after the election, as it's he who decides which party will be the first to try and form a government, and it doesn't necessarily have to be the party that comes first. President Vaclav Havel reminded reporters of that fact on Friday, after meeting representatives of the opposition Coalition. It was a clear message to the major parties, but as Rob Cameron reports, it was also a political gamble that could backfire.
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Current Affairs May Day celebrations in the Czech Republic
Compared to previous years, May Day celebrations in the Czech Republic were much quieter this year. And that is despite the fact that parliamentary elections are just seven weeks away and some parties used May Day meetings as part of their pre-election campaign. Pavla Horakova has more.
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