Milos Zeman

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen Met the Departing Czech President Milos Zeman

Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen made an Official visit to the Czech head of state, who is leaving office after two terms.

March 5, 2023

International Community Congratulates Van der Bellen on Election Success

The international community in Vienna and around the world, as well as numerous top politicians, have congratulated Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen on his re-election. The congratulations came from heads of state of different political camps, diplomats of various countries and other dignitaries.

October 10, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Return to Normality in July

The Austrian government has announced the reduction of restrictions as of July 1. Three weeks later, some more relaxations could be implemented. Are the coming weeks the last ones of the pandemic? Find out more about this week's developments.

June 17, 2021

Zeman and Van der Bellen Urge Better Relations with Russia

At a bilateral meeting in Vienna, Czech President Miloš Zeman and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen have agreed on the necessity to include Russia in Europe and demand negotiations with the Kreml. Read more below.

June 11, 2021

Czech-Austrian Economic Relations: President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman Visits Vienna

During the visit of the President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, bilateral economic relations were the focus of talks with Federal President Van der Bellen as well as at the Austrian-Czech Economic Forum in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

April 6, 2019

Austria: RLB OÖ Rows Bank on Threat to Leave

Last year regional lender RLB OÖ (Raiffeisen Landesbank Oberösterreich), part of Raiffeisen group, saw a decline of six percent in its balance sheet totals while the operating results increased by almost three percent.

April 16, 2014

Raiffeisen Branch to Leave Austria?

One of the provincial units of Raiffeisen Group, regional lender Raiffeisen Landesbank Oberösterreich (RLB OÖ), is considering relocating its headquarters to Germany.

April 11, 2014

Erste Group to be Relocated to the Czech Republic?

CEO of Erste Group, Andreas Treichl, has informed Czech President Milos Zeman about the bank’s intention to move to Prague in the coming years.

April 9, 2014

Zeman Wants Ukraine to Cooperate with Brussels

According to Czech President Milos Zeman, Russia´s occupation of the Crimea is a “cold-bloodedly” step against the Ukraine. The crisis-ridden country should work together more closely with the EU.

March 22, 2014

Ukrainian Crisis: Czech Republic Against Sanctions

Instead of economic sanctions against Russia, diplomatic talks should de-escalate the tense situation. President Zeman wants to create a Ukrainian Federation.

March 8, 2014

Zeman: Entry in Eurozone Delayed

In a speech to the Lower House ahead of the vote in confidence for the new government Czech President Milos Zeman expressed his dissatisfaction over the latest monetary intervention by the Czech National Bank (CNB).

February 19, 2014

Czech Republic: New Government Passed Vote of Confidence

The new Czech government under Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has passed the vote of confidence in parliament yesterday.

February 19, 2014

Czech Republic: Rusnok to Become CNB Board Member

Czech President Milos Zeman will appoint former Czech prime minister Jiri Rusnok as new board member of the Czech National Bank.

February 4, 2014

Czech Republic: New Government Appointed in Late January

Zeman expected to appoint even “problematic” candidates.

January 24, 2014

Czech Republic: New Government Facing Bumpy Road

The first obstacles for forming a new government seem to have been surmounted – for the time being.

January 21, 2014

Czech Republic: Sobotka Sworn in as PM

Head of the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD), Bohuslav Sobotka, was sworn in as new Prime Minister by President Milos Zeman on Friday afternoon.

January 17, 2014

Czech President Announces Appointment of Government

After months of disputes between the election winner and Czech President Milos Zeman, the date of the appointment of the new government was announced.

January 10, 2014

Sobotka Presses for Appointment of Czech Government

As reported by Czech news agency CTK, party leader of the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD) Bohuslav Sobotka will get together with President Milos Zeman to request a fast appointing of the new government.

January 8, 2014

Czech Governor Awarded Banker of the Year 2014

Miroslav Singer, governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB) was given the Central Banker of the Year 2014 award for Europe by The Banker.

January 3, 2014

Czech Republic: Babis Claims Finance Ministry

Andrej Babis, head of the second-largest Czech party, wants to become Minister of Finance. The Czechs face a new austerity package.

December 28, 2013

Czech Republic: Zeman Rejects Proposed Ministers

The Czech Republic is facing new obstacles in the forming of a new government as President Zeman is not satisfied with the choice of some ministers.

December 23, 2013

Czech Republic: Rusnok to become CNB Board Member

Outgoing Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok will be appointed new board member of the Czech National Bank (CNB) by President Milos Zeman.

December 18, 2013

Czech Republic: CNB Aquires Foreign Currencies

During monetary interventions CNB has purchased foreign currencies in the amoung of CZK 200bn.

November 26, 2013

Czech Republic: CNB Facing Investigations

Czech Senator Dryml ordered the head of counter-intelligence service (BIS) Jiri Lang to initiate investigations against the Czech National Bank (CNB).

November 22, 2013

Czech Republic: Sobotka Commissioned to Form Government

Czech President Milos Zeman engages the head of the social democrats (CSSD) Bohuslav Sobotka to form a new cabinet.

November 21, 2013

Czech Republic: CNB Concerned about Private Households

In regard to the most recent forex intervention, the Czech National Bank (CNB) has expressed concern about private households, which would be affected for a longer period since savings as well as income will drop.

November 13, 2013

Czech President Sceptical about CNB’s Forex Intervention

Czech President Zeman expressed his reservations about the Central Bank’s latest forex interventions.

November 12, 2013

Czech Republic Faces Political Stalemate

The Czech elections did not bring clear power relationships. The social democrats have to form a government, though.

October 28, 2013

Czech Republic: Social Democrats Ahead

Although the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD) rank first, the party is below expectations.

October 26, 2013

Czech Elections 2013: Tension Is Running High

Today, the Czech Republic holds new parliamentary elections. The Czech political landscape is expected to change fundamentally.

October 26, 2013

Czech Republic: Early Elections on Their Way

On Wednesday Czech President Milos Zeman has signed the dissolution of the House of Representatives.

August 28, 2013

Czech Republic: Klaus Reconsiders Returning to Politics

On Saturday, August 24, former Czech President Vaclav Klaus told Czech Television (CT) he is “seriously considering” returning to politics.

August 26, 2013

Czech Republic: Early Vote No Danger for Sovereign Debt Rating

The current instable political situation is no significant risk factor for the Czech rating yet, the U.S. rating agency Fitch says.

August 25, 2013

Schwarzenberg Criticizes Spindelegger

The former Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg thinks that Austria´s Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger mainly focuses on domestic politics. The CEE region should co-operate closer in future, he claims.

August 24, 2013

Czech Republic: Zeman Signs Parliamentary Dissolution

Zeman will sign the parliamentary dissolution on August 28. The path is now clear for early elections at the end of October.

August 22, 2013

Czech Parliament Votes for New Elections

The Czech House of Representatives has decided its dissolution on Tuesday evening and therefore clears the way for early parliamentary elections, which in all likelyhood will take place on October 25 and 26.

August 21, 2013

Czech Ex President Klaus Not to Return to Politics

Contrary to certain rumors, former President Vaclav Klaus does not plan to return to politics.

August 20, 2013

Czech Republic: New Trial for Dissolution of Parliament

The Czech parliament could enable new elections.

August 19, 2013

Czech Republic: New Elections Expected At the End of October

Prime Minister Petr Necas’ resignation leads to new elections soon. The Social Democrats, who want to introduce the Euro, are potential winners.

August 16, 2013

Czech Prime Minister Offers Resignation

Czech Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok has officially filed his resignation six days after a lost vote on confidence.

August 13, 2013

Czech Republic: Schwarzenberg to Run for Parliamentary Elections

The former Foreign Minister named “autocratic” President Zeman as a motivation.

August 10, 2013

Early Elections in Czech Republic Likely

After Czech’s new Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok failed the vote of confidence, there are many indicators that President Milos Zeman will announce early elections.

August 9, 2013

Czech Government Loses Vote on Confidence

The cabinet of experts of Prime Minister Rusnok only receives 93 out of 200 votes. October may be the month for early elections.

August 8, 2013

Czech Republic: Will Rusnok Remain in Parliament?

Today, August 7, 2013, the members of parliament in Prague will carry out a vote on confidence on the new government of Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok. It is unlikely that Rusnok will remain in parliament.

August 7, 2013

Czech Republic: Unwilling to Join Eurozone?

In 2012, the country missed two out of four criteria for the introduction of the single currency. According to the statistical office it was the worst result in five years. It is not yet clear when the Czech Republic is ready to join the Eurozone.

July 31, 2013

Czech Republic: President Zeman Names 15 New Ambassadors

The step had been delayed for several months over Zeman’s dispute with Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg over the filling of ambassadorial posts in Bratislava and Moscow.

July 26, 2013

New Czech Government Sworn In

Czech President Milos Zeman has announced the new government of Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok on Wednesday and sworn in. The team of 15 mostly independent experts replaces the cabinet of Petr Necas, who has stepped back due to a corruption scandal.

July 10, 2013

Visegrad Four Support Ukraine’s EU Integration

At the V4 summit in Wisla/Poland Slovak President Gasparovic announced yesterday that the V4 countries are interested in Ukraine’s successful European integration, particularly in signing the Assciation Agreement with the EU.

July 4, 2013

Czech Republic: Rusnok New Head of Government

Czech President Milos Zeman has appointed his confidant Jiri Rusnok head of a government of experts.

June 25, 2013

Zeman Favors Government of Experts

After Prime Minister Petr Necas‘ resignation, President Milos Zeman prefers the induction of a government of experts.

June 24, 2013