On Thursday, 26 December 2024, the second Christmas Day, the Feast of St Stephen, Prime Minister Petr Fiala delivered his Christmas speech to the citizens of the Czech Republic.
Dear fellow citizens,
For the fourth time I address you from the historic premises of Kramář's Villa at the end of the year with a short personal message. I trust that you are spending Christmas with your loved ones, that you are enjoying their presence, the comfort of your home, our festively decorated streets and squares.
But today, on the second day of Christmas, it is good to remember that not everyone is so lucky. Many people in the world are plagued by violent conflict and uncertainty about what tomorrow holds.
The fact that in the Czech Republic we can celebrate Christmas in peace and safety, and that we are doing well compared to most of the world, did not come by itself. It is the result of the hard work of generations of people who considered the Czech lands their home and worked step by step to make it a peaceful and safe home.
When a problem arises, we can always deal with it. Sometimes not with a smile and confidence, that's not really our style. But in the end, we've always managed everything.
And it is clearly shown today. The last few years, they really didn't spare us. We've been dealing with a covid pandemic. Record inflation. The consequences of the war in Ukraine. A war which, among other things, led to a huge energy crisis throughout Europe. In addition, in September, devastating floods returned to us. I know that none of this has been easy.
But we managed to overcome it all. Moreover, at every turn, our citizens have not hesitated to help those who find themselves in difficult situations - whether they have been affected by a century of water or even the absurd brutality of war.
When I look back at our history, I find countless such stories of ingenuity and goodwill - and that gives me confidence that we have what it takes to continue in the same spirit. We have what it takes to gradually overcome everything that has held our Republic back and become an even more successful country.
The steps we have taken this year are moving in the right direction:
We have adopted the necessary pension reform. A reform that guarantees a decent pension for people under 40 in the future.
We have also finally overcome the huge inflation.
So the critical rise in prices has ended, but unfortunately this does not always mean that prices will return to their pre-ceiling levels. It is therefore important that real wage increases continue.
And they have grown by 5 % this year and will continue to grow unless the Czech Republic stops investing responsibly in roads and railways, in energy development and also in the smart economy. In recent years, we have succeeded. This year alone, for example, we have extended motorways by 100 kilometres. In the energy sector, we have made the biggest steps in decades.
And we also make sure that the Czech Republic functions as a centre for the development of cutting-edge nuclear and chip technologies in the global economy, not as a supplier of simple components.
These are all steps towards a more modern economy, higher wages and a more successful country overall.
Dear fellow citizens,
Exactly one year ago, I promised you that 2024 would be a year of hope. That together we would overcome the huge challenges I have just named and things would turn around. And that has come true.
Of course, we're not done. We need to keep working on what is bothering us: we need to make our healthcare system much more efficient. Complete our education reforms. Or make it easier to build housing so that young families can afford their own homes. These are the most important tasks we need to focus on in the coming years. And these are all things that can be accomplished in a few years.
Of course, every day you read in the media or on social media that this is not possible, that the Czech Republic is not a good place to live, and that there is no point in trying. But if we don't believe in ourselves and focus mainly on what is not working yet on 100 %, we will never get rid of the "bad mood" that has always been our biggest obstacle, which prevented us from being even more successful.
So please let us not believe the various fearmongers who deliberately spread this sentiment. They are spreading it to make people envious, hateful and doubtful. Their aim is to make people distrust themselves and distrust others. Because if enough people doubt in this way, our society will be weakened and easily manipulated. And perhaps it will eventually go down the dangerous path of people giving up responsibility for their lives and handing it over to a leader. As we are unfortunately seeing again today in some European countries.
But with all our historical experience, with all we have achieved in our history, we simply must not let this happen!
Dear fellow citizens,
just as the year that is ending was a year of hope, so 2025 will be a year of decision.
It is a decision about whether we will trust ourselves, develop all the opportunities that come before us in these difficult times, help each other and work patiently to make our lives better year by year,
or whether we will be disgusted and take the path to Eastern authoritarianism, where the sellers of fear are sending us.
For me, the tactical decision is easy. I have never doubted for a second that there is only one right path for the Czech Republic. It is the path to even greater freedom, prosperity and personal responsibility. The path of a proud European country and an active civil society.
And I believe most of you see it the same way. We know where we belong. So let's not be discouraged.
Dear fellow citizens,
I wish you not only a peaceful rest of the Christmas holidays and a well-deserved rest, but above all, that you maintain your optimism and faith in yourselves and in the Czech Republic throughout 2025. Have a nice evening.
Petr Fiala, Prime Minister
Government of the Czech Republic/ gnews - RoZ
PHOTO - X Petr Fiala
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