On Wednesday 20 August 2025, the government of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala met at the Straka Academy for its first session after the summer break. On the agenda were several amendments to regulations, the conditions for compensation for farmers affected by last year's floods and a decision on the further extension of the state of danger around Hustopece nad Bečvou.

At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Fiala informed the cabinet members about the results of the recent video conferences between the "coalition of the willing" and EU leaders on the possibilities of ending the Russian aggression in Ukraine. "I had the opportunity to speak personally on the phone in early August with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky... There were several virtual meetings with the coalition of the willing. Yesterday's meeting was also followed by a European Council meeting. I think all this is very important for the coordination of procedures," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of the Czech ammunition initiative, thanks to which the Ukrainian defenders have already received more than one million pieces of large-calibre ammunition. "The guarantee must be specific and have a deterrent character. This means, among other things, that Ukraine must be provided with sufficient weapons and military equipment even in times of future peace." doplnil.

The Cabinet subsequently approved an amendment to the Government Decree that expands the range of households eligible for state housing support. The coefficient for assessing housing need has been increased from 1.43 to 1.6 times the minimum subsistence level. This means that seniors, people with disabilities or workers who did not previously meet the conditions can also apply for assistance.

The next item was a government decree setting out the conditions for exceptional support for farmers damaged by last September's floods (potatoes, sugar beet, sunflowers, rapeseed, vegetables and forage crops). The State Agricultural Intervention Fund will start accepting applications from 8 September. 185 million from the European Agricultural Reserve are available.

The Czech Government also granted the request of the Olomouc Region and extended the state of emergency in Hustopeče nad Bečvou until 24 September. This is a follow-up measure after last year's accident involving a train carrying benzene.

The negotiations included the transfer of three state-owned plots of land to the town of Jeseník free of charge, where approximately 50 new urban rental apartments are to be built for people whose homes were destroyed by the floods.

The Cabinet also focused on consumer protection. The amendment to the law is to newly penalise misleading environmental claims and false information about the durability, reparability or recyclability of products.

The government also discussed changes in the conditions for accreditation and professional competence tests, amendments to the rules on safety at construction sites, simplification of reporting work accidents and an action plan to promote collective bargaining, which aims to increase the low coverage of employees by collective agreements.

Vláda/gnews.cz - GH