Czech Republic

Dramatic spread of coronavirus in the Czech Republic

By Markus Salzmann, 16 February 2021

Given the dramatic spread of the coronavirus, the Czech government has extended the state of emergency that has been in effect since October and was originally set to end on Sunday.

Czech Republic clinics collapse as pandemic rages

By Markus Salzmann, 8 February 2021

The coronavirus pandemic is assuming increasingly dramatic forms in the Czech Republic.

Record growth of COVID-19 infections in Eastern Europe

By Markus Salzmann, 26 September 2020

The numbers of new COVID-19 infections in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary are breaking previous records.

Poland, Czech Republic close borders, shut down public life due to coronavirus

By Clara Weiss, 14 March 2020

Three decades after the restoration of capitalism and endless austerity, the health care system in Poland and the Czech Republic, as across all of Europe, is in a devastating condition.

Mass protests in Prague against Czech government

By Markus Salzmann, 19 November 2019

On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the so-called Velvet Revolution, hundreds of thousands demonstrated on Saturday against the corrupt right-wing government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis on Saturday.

300,000 demonstrate in Prague against right-wing Czech government

By Markus Salzmann, 26 June 2019

At the biggest demonstration in the Czech Republic since the so-called Velvet Revolution of 1989, participants demanded the resignation of billionaire Prime Minister Andrei Babiš, founder of the right-wing neo-liberal party ANO.

Government crisis in the Czech Republic

By Markus Salzmann, 18 April 2018

Under the guise of popular protests in the Czech Republic, reactionary elements are working to advance a policy to strengthen the government along with the ruling class.

Skoda workers in the Czech Republic prepare to strike

By Ulrich Rippert, 1 March 2018

The strike preparations at Skoda are part of a growing radicalisation of workers in Eastern Europe, who are no longer willing to accept conditions of extreme exploitation.

European Union skeptic wins Czech presidential election

By Markus Salzmann, 2 February 2018

Acting Czech President Milos Zeman narrowly won the second round of the presidential election last Friday and Saturday.

Right-wing opponent of European Union wins Czech parliamentary election

By Markus Salzmann, 23 October 2017

Twenty-eight years after the so-called velvet revolution, the overwhelming majority of the population has lost all confidence in the country’s bourgeois democratic institutions.

Czech government resigns amidst intensifying political crisis

By Markus Salzmann, 9 May 2017

The coalition government fell half a year before scheduled parliamentary elections, in the face of mounting tensions between its component parties.

Czech president condemns Nazi demonstration in Kiev

By Markus Salzmann, 10 January 2015

Zemen said something was “wrong” with both Ukraine and the EU, which did not condemn the demonstration.

Right-wing protests against the Czech president

By Markus Salzmann, 22 November 2014

At celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the so-called Velvet Revolution supporters of the Ukraine regime denounced President Zeman.

Czech government embarks on more austerity

By Markus Salzmann, 27 February 2014

The new Czech government is committed to a political course that is aligned to the European Union but abhorred by the population.

Czech Republic: Social Democrats enter into coalition with right-wing billionaire’s party

By Markus Salzmann, 31 December 2013

The Czech Social Democrats have formed a ruling coalition with the right-wing party of billionaire Andrej Babis.

Czech legislative elections result in new political impasse

By Markus Salzmann, 1 November 2013

The elections last week exposed the deep gulf between the Czech population and the political elite.

Austerity government appointed in the Czech Republic

By Markus Salzmann, 17 July 2013

A transitional cabinet was sworn into office in the Czech Republic last Wednesday, four weeks after a corruption scandal led to the resignation of Prime Minister Petr Necas.

Czech prime minister’s resignation sparks power struggle

By Markus Salzmann, 22 June 2013

The resignation of the Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas and the end of his center-right government have triggered a power struggle.

Czech president-elect calls for new parliamentary elections

By Markus Salzmann, 1 February 2013

The Czech Republic, long regarded as one of the more politically stable countries in Eastern Europe, faces increasing instability following the presidential election last Saturday.

Czech government survives no-confidence vote

By Markus Salzmann, 9 May 2012

Immediately after the vote of confidence, the government said it would uphold the aim of reducing the budget deficit below three percent, and would adopt further cost-cutting measures.

On the death of Václav Havel

By Peter Schwarz, 21 December 2011

Havel’s anti-communism, his arrogance towards working people and his unconditional support for the wars of NATO and the US made ​​him the darling of international politics and the media.

Right-wing demonstrations against Roma in the Czech Republic

By Markus Salzmann, 16 September 2011

The Czech Civic Democratic Party is trying to suppress opposition to its austerity program by relying on far-right forces.

Persecution of Roma in the Czech Republic

By Markus Salzmann, 9 September 2011

In recent weeks, the Czech Republic has witnessed violent attacks on the Roma minority, sparked by clashes between Roma and young Czechs.

Czech public sector workers strike against austerity measures

By Markus Salzmann, 10 December 2010

More than 150,000 public sector workers took strike action in the Czech Republic on Wednesday to protest against the austerity measures of the government.

Czech government announces drastic economic measures

By Markus Salzmann, 19 July 2010

The new so-called “Coalition of Budget Responsibility” plans to implement the severest social cuts in the history of the Czech Republic.

Major Czech parties suffer massive election losses

By Markus Salzmann, 3 June 2010

The conservative Citizens Party (ODS) and the Social Democratic Party (CSSD) have suffered massive losses in recent parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic.

Czech Republic: Trade unions call off transport workers strike

By Markus Salzmann, 12 March 2010

The calling off of a strike by transport workers in the Czech Republic came precisely at the time of the general strike in Greece and when strikes and protests were being held in many other European cities.

Czech government ousted as economy flounders

By Stefan Steinberg, 27 March 2009

The Czech government led by Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek narrowly lost a vote of confidence in parliament March 24 and the government coalition will be forced to step down.

Czech trade unions support mass redundancies in the auto industry

By Markus Salzmann, 29 November 2008

A wave of redundancies is sweeping the Czech auto industry and the biggest Czech trade unions are working hand in hand with company managements to implement dismissals.

Czech government in crisis following election debacles

By Markus Salzmann, 4 November 2008

Prior to taking over the presidency of the European Union, the Czech government has suffered a series of election defeats and is in deep crisis.

Eastern European economies face bankruptcy

By Niall Green, 23 October 2008

The economies of central and eastern Europe are being rocked by the crisis of world capitalism, compounded by the corrupt and pro-big business policies of their local elites.