Czech news in brief for January 8: Thursday’s top morning headlines

The Czech Supreme Court has ruled that national legislation allowing blanket retention of electronic communications data violates EU law. The court rejected an appeal by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and ordered the state to apologize to journalist Jan Cibulka for breaching his privacy and personal data rights. Judges said indiscriminate data storage affects nearly all users and enables intrusive insights into private lives.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš will visit Bratislava on Thursday, as Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico signals support for renewing joint Czech-Slovak government consultations. The talks were suspended last year by Prague over differing foreign policy positions, including on Ukraine. Fico said he hopes bilateral negotiations will restart soon. Babiš has previously backed restoring the format while maintaining Czech coordination on Ukraine ammunition aid.

Severe winter weather across Europe has disrupted air and rail travel, with direct impact on Czechia. On Wednesday, Prague’s Václav Havel Airport reported all flights to and from the Netherlands canceled and delays on routes between France and Czechia. Hundreds of flights were grounded at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, while Paris airports, Eurostar services, and public transport in several countries were also affected by snow and ice.

Prague City Hall will commission a feasibility study this year to assess a circular public transport route linking outer districts, Deputy Mayor for Transport Jaromír Beránek said on Tuesday. The proposed loop would run via Dejvice, Smíchov, Budějovická, Vršovice, Žižkov, and Čakovice. The study will examine whether a metro or tram line is more suitable, aiming to improve cross-city travel without passing through the center.

A six-meter snow statue of Krakonoš has returned to Jilemnice’s main square after a two-year pause caused by a lack of snow. The sculpture is being created by 78-year-old artist Josef Dufek and his team, who expect to finish this week despite the difficult freezing conditions. The long-running winter tradition dates back more than a century and is supported by the town as a local attraction and promotion.