At Wednesday's meeting of Petr Fiala's cabinet, decisions were made that will fundamentally affect the Czech Republic's defence, justice and international cooperation. The most prominent point was the joining of the German agreement on the supply of Leopard 2A8 tanks, but the government also addressed the dispute over bitcoins, kratom regulation and continued aid to Ukraine.
In the next few years, the Czech Army will acquire 61 state-of-the-art Leopard 2A8 tanks, which will completely rearm the 73rd Tank Battalion. "The Czech Republic will join the framework agreement between the German Ministry of Defence and the tank manufacturer and will thus be able to procure 61 state-of-the-art Leopard 2A8 tanks on favourable terms." said the Ministry of Defence in a press release. The Czech defence industry will also be involved in the contract, which will receive contracts worth at least CZK 1.9 billion. The modernisation also includes the purchase of eighteen Supacat Extenda light armoured vehicles, which will replace the outdated Land Rovers of the special forces.
Another important point was the resolution of the dispute over donated bitcoins. The Minister of Justice Eva Decroix informed the government about the conclusion of an agreement with the buyers who auctioned these virtual currencies from the state. Prime Minister Petr Fiala stressed that the agreement is balanced: "The agreement is fair for both parties and avoids potentially protracted legal disputes." He also added that the state has not lost any funds: "He is left with bitcoins and funds currently worth around one billion crowns."
The Cabinet also addressed the issue of kratom regulation. The substance will now be classified as a psychomodulant, which means that its sale will only be possible in specialised outlets to persons over the age of 18 and licensed by the Ministry of Health. According to experts, kratom does not pose a serious risk to public health, which is why the government has opted for the path of regulation rather than criminalisation.
The meeting also brought decisions on investments. The government rejected requests for direct material support from seven companies that wanted to implement strategic projects in the Czech Republic. However, it recommended the use of tax incentives, which can be beneficial for investors in the long term. The applicants included companies producing electric motors, heat pumps and medical devices.
Support for war-stricken Ukraine was also an important part of the programme. The Czech Republic will allocate CZK 1 billion per year from the state budget between 2026 and 2030, with another CZK 4 billion coming from the European Union. The money will go towards infrastructure reconstruction, healthcare, demining of farmland and emergency shelters.
The government has also supported the Czech Technical University, which will receive an increase of almost CZK 1 billion so that the school can resolve a long-standing financial dispute and continue its research activities. A new State Programme of Environmental Education for 2026-2035 was also approved, which aims to strengthen the interest of pupils and the public in nature conservation.
At the press conference, Prime Minister Petr Fiala summarised the results of the meeting by saying: "I would like to stress that the state has not lost anything. It is now up to the law enforcement authorities to consider the case in its entirety." The government's decisions thus bring about the modernisation of the army, the resolution of long-standing causes and clear support for Ukraine.
Government/gnews.cz
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