News

Klaus last to decide on Lisbon

The Czech president, Václav Klaus, told Czech Radio on Tuesday that he would only make up his mind on whether or not he will ratify the Lisbon treaty after all other EU states have reached a decision. Mr Klaus, who is a staunch critic of the reform document, said he would wait for the result of the Irish referendum scheduled for October. He also said he would not decide before the Constitutional Courts in the Czech Republic and Germany reach their verdicts on the document, and he will also wait for the Polish position on the issue.

The Lisbon treaty was approved by both chambers of the Czech Parliament earlier this year but President Klaus refused to complete the ratification process. He said that putting his signature to the treaty would put Ireland under pressure to ratify the document.

Half of Czech companies plan lay-offs

Close to half of Czech firms say they are planning lay-offs in the coming months in order to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis and increase their chances of survival. In a flash poll conducted among 154 companies, a third of them said they may have to lay off up to twenty percent of employees, while five percent of them said they would have to let go up to thirty percent of employees to stay afloat. Fifty-four percent of firms polled said they were cutting costs elsewhere. The export-oriented Czech economy is feeling the effects of the crisis in neighbouring states, with eighty percent of Czech firms reporting a severe drop in demand in the first quarter. The credit-crunch is making it difficult for them to take out fresh loans, meaning that some will temporarily have to shut down production if the situation worsens.

Havel to direct a film

Playwright and former Czech president Václav Havel is going to direct a film based on his latest play “Leaving”, the daily Mladá fronta Dnes reported on Tuesday. Producers of the planned movie said it took Mr Havel a long time to decide, but that he had a “very clear idea” of what the film should be like. Mr Havel also stopped a TV production of a theatre performance of his play as it would jeopardize the interests of the film producers. The production of the film should start next year, and Mr Havel’s wife, the actress Dagmar Havlová, is set to land one of the leading roles.

Foreign minister to visit Israel, Palestine

The Czech foreign minister, Jan Kohout, will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories on Wednesday, at the end of the Czech presidency of the EU. His agenda will include talks on the current situation in the Middle East following the Cairo speech by US President Barack Obama, and on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. During the trip, Mr Kohout will meet with his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, as well as with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Foreign Minister Jan Kohout also wants to evaluate the situation in the Middle East after six months of the Czech EU presidency. In the beginning of the Czech term at the helm of the block in January, Czech officials dealt with the crisis following the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Christian Democrat head blasts delayed EU nomination

Christian Democrat leader Cyril Svoboda has criticized plans to put off the nomination of a Czech EU commissioner until after the autumn general elections. In a statement for the ČTK news agency Mr. Svoboda said the Czechs were throwing away the chance to gain an interesting portfolio in the new EC because of political squabbles at home. Interim Prime Minister Jan Fischer has expressed readiness to start talks which would produce a widely acceptable candidate but the two strongest parties on the Czech political scene, the Civic and Social Democrats have made a deal to postpone the debate until after the general elections.

Supreme Court confirms sentences for sale of hallucinogenic plant

The Czech Supreme Court confirmed on Tuesday suspended sentences for two men who had been convicted of selling the hallucinogenic plant Salvia Divinorum, known as the Sage of the Seers. A court in Prague found the men guilty in 2008 of promoting illicit drugs by selling dried leaves of the plant over the internet, and handed them a one year suspended prison sentence, although sage is not included in the international list of narcotics.

First rabbis graduate from Prague’s Maharal Institute

First six rabbis graduated on Tuesday from the Maharal Institute, a rabbinical seminary which opened last year in Prague’s Jewish quarter. The students, who spent ten months in Prague, came from Israel, the United States, Austria, and Latin America. The Maharal Institute was founded to promote the study of the works by famous 16th century rabbi Loew, also known as the Maharal. This year marks the 400th anniversary of his death.

Antonio Banderas to come to Karlovy Vary film festival

Actor Antonio Banderas will be among the guests at this year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival that kicks off on July 3. Organizers said on Tuesday that the Hollywood star will join another famed guest, John Malkovich who will be presented with the Crystal Globe Awards for Lifetime Achievement. The festival will present more than 220 films, 65 of which will have their world premiere in Karlovy Vary.

Drunken man beats Civic Democrat MP

A drunken man beat Civic Democrat MP Vladislav Vilímec in a street in Plzeň, western Bohemia, on Monday night. The incident took place after the party’s regional nomination conference. Mr Vilímec, who was hit in the head, said the attack was politically motivated. The MP did not press charges against the attacker.

Weather

Severe weather conditions, particularly swelling rivers and strong winds, have caused problems in several regions of the country. Rain and occasional storms are expected well into the week, with highest day temperatures ranging between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius.