The Czech government decided to increase the salaries and other benefits of professional soldiers, also dealt with the future of nuclear energy

From July and then from January, the soldiers of the Czech Army will receive higher salaries and other benefits will be increased. The relevant government regulations were approved by the cabinet of Petr Fiala at a meeting on Wednesday 11 June 2025. The cabinet also approved, for example, a new concept for the fight against organised crime and dealt with the future of nuclear energy and the nuclear industry in the Czech Republic.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala informed the Government about his morning phone call with the newly elected President of the Republic of Korea, Kim Jong-un. One of the main topics of the conversation was cooperation between the two countries on the Dukovany nuclear power plant completion project. "We agreed that nuclear cooperation has become a pillar of our mutual relations and that this project will be beneficial for both Czech and Korean industry. This is an important thing, of course, it is also the result of the long-term relations we have with the Republic of Korea, because this year we are marking not only the 35th anniversary of the establishment of mutual diplomatic relations, but also the tenth anniversary of our strategic partnership, which is also reflected in the ever closer economic cooperation," stated Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

In this context, the Prime Minister recalled that the Czech Republic is becoming a leader in the nuclear industry and in research and development. "There is more good news. The UK has selected Rolls-Royce SMR to supply the first three small modular reactors. This is positive because CEZ has joined Rolls-Royce SMR, which we confirmed by signing in my presence at Kramář's Villa last year. The Czech Republic will thus be directly involved in the development and production of these reactors," he said.

"I am happy about this development because it is also the culmination of diplomatic efforts, including my personal negotiations with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In addition to Korea, we also have close cooperation with the UK in the field of nuclear energy. This is a huge opportunity and a major step towards self-sufficiency and the modernisation of our and Europe's energy sector. And the great news is that the Czech Republic will be at the forefront of the development and production of small modular reactors," Fiala added.

The government also approved changes to government regulations, which will make it possible from 1 July increase the service income of soldiers of the Army of the Czech Republic. On that date, the service tariffs for the ranks of lance corporal to staff warrant officer will increase by 7.5 per cent, and for the ranks of lieutenant to army general by five per cent. The same increase will then take place from 1 January 2026.

At the same time, as of 1 July, the service housing allowance for soldiers assigned to duty in Prague will increase by CZK 3 900 per month to CZK 7 000 per month and for soldiers assigned outside Prague by CZK 3 000 per month to CZK 6 000 per month to reflect their increased housing costs. Military doctors and dentists who work for military health service providers will also see a substantial improvement.

As of 1 July, GPs and dentists will have their stabilisation allowance increased from the current CZK 19 900 to CZK 56 000 per month, unless they also work for providers outside the defence ministry. If they do (and in the case of other medical specialties working in the army), the allowance will increase to CZK 32 000 per month. The aim of all the adopted changes is to motivate current soldiers not to leave the army for better salaries in the civilian sector, while at the same time strengthening the recruitment of new soldiers. More in press release of the Ministry of Defence.

The government also discussed a new concept for the fight against organised crime by 2030 The Concept sets out six strategic and 24 sub-objectives, the fulfilment of which should help to make the detection and investigation of organised crime in the Czech Republic and in international cooperation more effective.

The Cabinet also dealt with Proposal for the expenditure of the state budget of the Czech Republic on research, experimental development and innovation for 2026 and the outlook for the coming years, which foresees a higher volume of state funding to support research, development and innovation. Total state budget expenditure on research, development and innovation, including co-financing, is expected to reach CZK 46.77 billion in 2026, CZK 50.08 billion in 2027 and CZK 50.34 billion in 2028. Investments in science and research are to be directed mainly to support excellence, human resources development, transfer of knowledge and technology into practice or support for strategic technologies.

The Government also decided to appoint a new Chair of the Government Legislative Council. Effective 11 June, the new Minister of Justice, Eva Decroix, replaced the resigning Minister Pavel Blažek.

government.cz/gnews.cz - cik