COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2025 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 2025 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union

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COMMISSION
Strasbourg, 8.7.2025
SWD(2025) 903 final
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT
2025 Rule of Law Report
Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia
Accompanying the document
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the
European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
2025 Rule of Law Report
The rule of law situation in the European Union
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ABSTRACT
The level of perceived judicial independence in Czechia is high among both the general
public and companies. The implementation of the prosecution service reform is ongoing, and
stakeholders view it positively. A new disciplinary procedure for judges, prosecutors and
bailiffs entered into force, introducing the possibility of appeal. New rules increasing the
remuneration of judges from 2026 were adopted, while the salaries of the judicial and
prosecutorial staff also slightly increased. Digitalisation in the courts is generally advancing,
with videoconferencing well established and further supported by recent legislative changes,
though the rolling out of an ‘e-file’ system was further delayed. An amendment updating the
rules on the use of lay judges, with a view to increase efficiency, entered into force.
Amendments increasing the level of court fees in administrative matters are underway. The
justice system is performing efficiently, with further improvements in case resolution times.
The implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy continues, and a new action plan was
adopted. A steady flow of corruption investigations, prosecutions and convictions continues.
Some measures were taken to reduce the length of proceedings and ensure the independence
of investigation and prosecution in high-level corruption cases. The Constitutional Court
declared legislation on conflicts of interests unconstitutional for procedural reasons and
annulled the application of the revised provisions including those related to beneficial
owners. A possible future revision of the rules on asset declarations and revolving doors
remains under consideration at technical level. Legislation on lobbying was adopted as part of
the Recovery and Resilience Plan and it also covers Members of Parliament. New legislation
on the financing of electoral campaigns was adopted by Parliament, while a possible
expansion of the Supreme Audit Office’s powers remains under consideration. Efforts to
mitigate corruption risks in public procurement continue.
Draft legislation will, if adopted, enshrine certain rights of media service providers, provide
the audiovisual media regulator with further responsibilities – including in relation to scrutiny
of market concentrations – and oblige public bodies to publish the amounts allocated for the
purpose of state advertising. Amendments to public service media legislation have clarified
the public service remit and placed the financing system on a more sustainable basis. The
transparency of media ownership has, however, not registered further developments.
Additional protections for journalists’ sources and confidential communications have been
proposed. There have been increased efforts by the police to address cases of abuse against
journalists while online harassment of journalists remains an issue of concern.
The Government took steps to improve the inclusiveness of the policy-making process.
However, the quality of legislation is affected by the use of a procedural technique known as
‘legislative riders’; these enable the introduction of amendments unrelated to the main
substance of the legislative proposal, and the Constitutional Court circumscribes when this
can be done. Some further measures have been adopted to improve the enabling environment
for civil society. Following the entry into force of amendments to the Ombudsman Act, the
National Human Rights Institution was established.
2
RECOMMENDATIONS
Overall, concerning the recommendations in the 2024 Rule of Law Report, Czechia has
(made):
• Some progress on taking measures to address the remuneration of judges, and judicial and
prosecutorial staff, taking into account European standards on resources and remuneration
for the justice system.
• Some further progress on taking measures to reduce the length of proceedings and ensure
independence of investigation and prosecution in high-level corruption cases.
• Fully implemented the part of the recommendation to complement existing rules on
lobbying in an effort to strengthen the integrity framework for all members of Parliament
and no progress as regards complementing the existing rules on revolving doors.
• No further progress on progressing with further reforms relating to transparency of
information on media ownership.
• Fully implemented the recommendation to ensure that rules or mechanisms are in place to
provide funding for public service media that is appropriate for the realisation of its
public service remit while guaranteeing its independence.
• Fully implemented the recommendation to continue to advance the legislative changes to
establish a National Human Rights Institution taking into account the UN Paris
Principles.
On this basis, and considering other developments that took place in the period of reference,
and in addition to recalling the relevant commitments made under the Recovery and
Resilience Plan, it is recommended to Czechia to:
• Take further measures to reduce the length of proceedings and ensure independence of
investigation and prosecution in high-level corruption cases.
• Take further measures to strengthen the integrity framework for all members of
Parliament, in particular by complementing the existing rules as regards revolving doors.
• Reinitiate the revision of legislation on conflicts of interest, including as regards
beneficial ownership.
• Progress with further reforms relating to transparency of information on media
ownership.
3
I. JUSTICE SYSTEM1
Independence
The level of perceived judicial independence in Czechia is high among both the general
public and companies. Overall, 64% of the general population and 63% of companies
perceive the level of independence of courts and judges to be ‘fairly or very good’ in 20252
.
The perceived judicial independence among the general public has significantly increased in
comparison with 2024 (54%) and 2021 (51%). The perceived judicial independence among
companies has also increased in comparison with 2024 (57%) and 2021 (51%).
The implementation of the prosecution service reform is ongoing and stakeholders view
it positively. The reform introduced safeguards for the dismissal of the Prosecutor General
and other chief prosecutors3
. Its implementation is underway, in particular as regards the
gradual replacement of all chief prosecutors4
. Approximately ten to fifteen chief prosecutors
are replaced every six months, and the selection procedures are reported to be functioning
well5
. Stakeholders broadly welcomed the reform6
. The Prosecutor General’s Office
published rules on career advancement and selection procedures for public prosecutors on 4
July 2024, as required by the amendments7
. Further changes to the rules were announced by
the new Prosecutor General, who took office in April 20258
.
A new disciplinary procedure for judges, prosecutors and bailiffs entered into force,
introducing the possibility of appeal. Since 1 January 2025, when the reform entered into
force, High Courts act as the first-instance disciplinary bodies, with appeals heard by the
Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court9
. To promote consistency and avoid
conflicting decisions, a ‘unifying disciplinary panel’ has been established at the Supreme
Administrative Court. The new regime applies to cases initiated after January 2025. Other
procedural revisions are being implemented, such as establishing a new courts registry,
adapting the court management system and nominating the judges in the disciplinary
panels10
. The reform is part of the commitments under the Czech Recovery and Resilience
1
An overview of the institutional framework for all four pillars can be found here.
2
Figures 50 and 52, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard and Figures 49 and 51, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard. The
level of perceived judicial independence is categorised as follows: very low (below 30% of respondents
perceive judicial independence as fairly good and very good); low (between 30-39%), average (between 40-
59%), high (between 60-75%), very high (above 75%).
3
The reform was a subject of a 2023 Rule of Law Report recommendation and entered into effect on 1 July
2024.
4
Transitional provisions of the Act on the public prosecution service, as amended.
5
Country visit Czechia, Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor General’s Office, Union of Public Prosecutors.
Ministry of Justice and Union of Public Prosecutors reported that the number of candidates is so far rather
low.
6
Stakeholders reiterated that while they assess the reform positively, it represents a compromise on certain
matters. Country visit Czechia, Prosecutor General’s Office, Union of Public Prosecutors. See also 2024
Rule of Law Report, Czechia, pp. 3–5.
7
Document No. 1 SL 1006/2024–23, based on Section 12 para. 7 of the Act on the public prosecution service.
8
Country visit Czechia, Prosecutor General’s Office.
9
Section 3 para. 2 of the Act on proceedings in the cases of judges, prosecutors and bailiffs, as amended. The
Supreme Court hears cases about judges, while the Supreme Administrative Court hears cases about
Supreme Court judges, administrative judges (except for judges of the Supreme Administrative Court),
public prosecutors and bailiffs.
10
Country visit Czechia, Ministry of Justice.
4
Plan (RRP) and responds also to a GRECO recommendation11
. Stakeholders are generally
positive about the introduction of the second instance, acknowledging the aim of enhancing
the legality and fairness of disciplinary proceedings12
. The selection procedure for judges
continues to work well, with stakeholders welcoming the increased transparency of the
procedure13
.
Quality
There has been some progress on the recommendation on the remuneration of judges,
and judicial and prosecutorial staff14. Following the Constitutional Court’s ruling in May
2024, which annulled the prior reform of the remuneration rules for judges, the Government
adopted a new law, which entered into force in March 2025. This law reinstated the original
multiplier used to calculate judicial salaries, as requested by the Constitutional Court, though
this provision will apply only from 2026. For 2025, the new law introduced a special
provision setting out the concrete nominal value for judicial salaries15
. The amendment
affects also the salary of the public prosecutors, where a nominal value of salary for 2025 was
set as well16
. The judiciary considers the law to be in conflict with the Constitutional Court’s
ruling, since the value set for 2025 does not correspond to the multiplier set in the ruling, and
applies retroactively from 1 January 2025. Individual judges have challenged the law before
general courts as well as the Constitutional Court17
. The rules for determining judges’
remuneration must be objective, foreseeable, but also stable and transparent, so as to exclude
any arbitrary intervention by the legislature and the executive, and the same requirements
apply to any measures derogating from those rules18
. Prosecutorial and non-judge court staff
went on a three-day strike in October 2024 in connection to their salaries19
. A limited salary
increase for all staff was provided from 1 January 2025 in line with commitments made by
the Ministry of Finance. These salaries have not kept pace with other public sector
positions20
, which continues to affect the recruitment and retention of qualified staff in the
11
The reform is part of Czech Recovery and Resilience Plan (‘RRP’): Reform 2 Strengthening the legislative
framework and transparency in the areas of courts, judges, prosecutors and bailiffs, component 4.3. GRECO
Fourth Evaluation Round – Evaluation Report, recommendation ix, introducing the possibility for judges to
challenge disciplinary decisions including for dismissal before a court.
12
Country visit Czechia, Supreme Court, Union of Judges.
13
Country visit Czechia, Supreme Court, Union of Judges.
14
The 2024 Rule of Law Report recommended Czechia to “[t]ake measures to address the remuneration of
judges, and judicial and prosecutorial staff, taking into account European standards on resources and
remuneration for the justice system.”
15
Section 4 of Act on the salary and other emoluments connected with the performance of the duties of public
officials and certain state bodies and judges and members of the European Parliament. A specific term
‘public official’ in the law., which comprises the MPs, the members of the Government, the President, the
members of the Supreme Audit Office and other representatives. The term also includes judges of the
Constitutional Court, however, their salary is based on the judicial salaries.
16
Act on the salary and certain other allowances of public prosecutors. The salary of public prosecutors
constitutes 90% of the judicial salary.
17
Country visit Czechia, Union of Judges. ČT24 (2025). Advokátní deník (2025).
18
Judgement of the CJEU, joined cases C‑146/23, Sąd Rejonowy w Białymstoku and C‑374/23, Adoreikė, para
56, paras. 65 et seq.
19
Country visit Czechia, Union of Judges. Judicial staff went on strike also on 29 May 2024.
20
Country visit Czechia, Supreme Court, Prosecutor General’s Office, Union of Judges, Union of Public
Prosecutors.
5
judiciary and prosecution services21
. Some progress was made on the recommendation to
address the remuneration of judges, as well as on the salaries of the judicial and prosecutorial
staff.
The level of digitalisation in the courts is generally advancing, with videoconferencing
well established and further supported by recent legislative changes, while the rolling
out of the ‘e-file’ system was further delayed. The level of digitalisation in the courts is
generally advancing22
. Procedural rules allow the use of digital tools in courts, and various
digital solutions are in place to initiate and follow proceedings, particularly in civil,
commercial and administrative cases. Since 1 October 2024, with the change to the rules for
using videoconferencing in court proceedings, it is no longer required that a court employee
be present with a party, witness or other participant during a videoconference session23
. It is
expected that similar amendments will be made to the Criminal Procedure Code24
. However,
the implementation of the e-file system has been postponed again and remains in the
procurement phase. Judges and lawyers consider the system to be essential for reducing court
workload and for enabling lawyers and parties to access case files remotely. The electronic
information management system for public prosecution is also facing delays, with the
Ministry of Justice expecting it to be introduced in the second half of 202525
. The Ministry of
Justice launched a public mediation dashboard with a view to provide transparent access to
court-related mediation data, as well as developing future instruments to promote alternative
dispute resolutions26
.
An amendment updating the rules on the use of lay judges entered into force. The
amendment to the Act on courts, judges, lay judges and the public administration of courts,
entered into force on 1 January 202527
. It aims to increase the efficiency of judicial
proceedings involving lay judges28
. Under the new law, lay judges are no longer involved in
labour disputes in civil proceedings and in criminal proceedings before district courts. Such
cases are now to be decided by a single judge. The participation of lay judges is reserved for
first-instance criminal proceedings before regional courts in cases concerning particularly
serious crimes29
. The changes are generally welcomed by stakeholders, who view them as a
balanced approach to improving efficiency while preserving the role of lay judges in the
justice system30
.
21
This is particularly the case in Prague and other bigger cities. Negotiations continue, but stakeholders
reported that the Ministry indicated that judges must decide whether to increase their own salaries or those of
their staff, creating tension within the judiciary. Country visit Czechia, Union of Judges.
22
The provision of Equipment of courtrooms with audio-visual data recorders was supported in the framework
of the Czech Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), Investment 3: Digital service for justice.
23
Act amending Act No. 182/2006 Coll., on insolvency and other laws including Act amending Act No.
99/1963 Coll., Civil Procedure Code; Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 5.
24
Czech Government (2025a), additional written input.
25
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 5. Country visit Czechia, Union of Public Prosecutors.
26
Czech Government (2025a), written input on the single market dimension, p. 3.
27
Act amending Act No. 6/2002 Coll., on courts and judges.
28
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 1; Czech Bar Association (2025), written input, p. 5.
29
Explicit permission is made also for the proceedings concerning the crime of murder of a newborn child by
the mother, although it does not fall in the category of particularly serious crimes. Lay judges are excluded
from participating in proceedings concerning particularly serious property crimes and economic crimes.
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 1; Czech Bar Association (2025), written input, p. 5.
30
Country visit Czechia, Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Czech Bar Association.
6
Amendments increasing the level of court fees in administrative justice matters are
underway. The amendments to the Act on court fees, currently submitted for discussion in
Parliament, aim at doubling, and in the case of cassation appeals almost tripling current fees.
The aim of the reform is to ensure the financial sustainability of the judicial system, including
rising administrative expenses. The level of fees has remained unchanged since 2011. Some
stakeholders are concerned about the sudden increase in court fees and its potential risk to
access to justice31
, whereas other stakeholders consider the increase reasonable32
.
Efficiency
The justice system is performing efficiently with further improvements in case
resolution times. The disposition time in civil and commercial cases at first instance
decreased from 134 days in 2022 to 126 days in 2023, among the lowest in the EU. While the
clearance rate for administrative cases at first instance decreased to 111% in 2023, compared
to 126% in 2022, the estimated time needed to resolve such cases continued to improve,
dropping from 225 days in 2022 to 212 days in 2023. The Ministry of Justice is continuing a
project aimed at developing a methodology for collecting empirical data on the labour
intensity of various court activities, alongside creating an initial dataset to support a more
accurate determination of staffing needs at individual courts. Data collection took place in
February 2025 with active participation from the judiciary. The analysis of the collected data
is expected to be completed by July 202533
.
II. ANTI-CORRUPTION FRAMEWORK
The perception among experts, citizens and business executives is that the level of
corruption in the public sector remains relatively high. In the 2024 Corruption
Perceptions Index by Transparency International, Czechia scores 56/100 and ranks 16th
in the
European Union and 46th
globally34
. This perception has been relatively stable over the past
five years35
. The 2025 Special Eurobarometer on Corruption shows that 75% of respondents
consider corruption widespread in their country (EU average 69%) and 24% of respondents
feel personally affected by corruption in their daily lives (EU average 30%). As regards
businesses, 62% of companies consider that corruption is widespread (EU average 63%) and
35% consider that corruption is a problem when doing business (EU average 35%).
Furthermore, 34% of respondents find that there are enough successful prosecutions to deter
people from corrupt practices (EU average 36%), while 24% of companies believe that
people and businesses caught for bribing a senior official are appropriately punished (EU
average 33%)36
.
The implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy 2023-2026 continues and a new
action plan was adopted37. The action plan covering 2023-2024 was assessed as being
31
Country visit Czechia, League of Human Rights.
32
Country visit Czechia, Union of Judges, Czech Bar Association.
33
The project is called “Strengthening the efficiency of the judicial system in the Czech Republic” and is
supported by the Technical Support Instrument of the European Commission.
34
The level of perceived corruption is categorised as follows: low (above 79); relatively low (between 79-60),
relatively high (between 59-50), high (below 50).
35
In 2020 the score was 54, while, in 2024, the score is 56. The score significantly increases/decreases when it
changes more than five points; improves/deteriorates (changes between 4-5 points); is relatively stable
(changes from 1-3 points) in the last five years.
36
Data from Special Eurobarometer 561 (2025) and Flash Eurobarometer 557 (2025).
37
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 10.
7
largely implemented38
. Some civil society stakeholders criticised the new action plan, which
they say focuses too much on analysis and preparation and lacks concrete decisions and steps
forward to improve the overall anti-corruption framework39
. The Anti-Corruption Council, an
advisory body to the government which includes civil society40
, met once in 2024, focusing
its discussions on the ongoing criminal law reform41
. Concerns raised by civil society about a
possible mitigation of sanctions, in particular introducing fines instead of imprisonment, for
certain corruption crimes, have been addressed by removing such provisions from the final
proposal submitted to Parliament42
. The Conflicts of Interest and Anti-Corruption
Department of the Ministry of Justice is responsible for the implementation of the Anti-
Corruption Strategy, processing asset declarations and conflicts of interest and
whistleblowing. Despite an increase in tasks – such as for the implementation of the new
lobbying legislation - it has not received corresponding resources amidst general budgetary
constraints43
.
A steady flow of corruption investigations, prosecutions and convictions continues. In
2024 the authorities opened 154 corruption investigations (compared to 168 in 2023) and
prosecuted 166 individuals for corruption offences or suspicions thereof (compared to 162
individuals in 2023)44
. A total of 141 persons were brought before a court (compared to 158
in 2023)45
, while 99 were convicted for corruption in 2024 (compared to 123 persons in
2023). 2024 saw 13 acquittals for corruption (compared to 26 in 2023). Most cases related to
the offences of bribery or of arranging an advantage in the context of public procurement46
.
As regards foreign bribery, updated statistics are not available. The 2024 report noted that
only a limited number of cases of foreign bribery were detected and prosecuted despite the
legal framework being in place47
.
Cooperation between the relevant law enforcement institutions remains good48
. The
Ministry of Interior and the National Agency against Organised Crime (NCOZ) remain
committed to improving the investigative capacities of the NCOZ and a new uniform
38
Ministry of Justice (2025c).
39
Country visit Czechia, Transparency International and Lobbio; Transparency International Czechia (2025),
written input, p. 9.
40
The Minister of Justice removed the formal obligation of the Anti-Corruption Council, an advisory body to
the government which includes civil society, to meet twice per year. Country visit Czechia, Ministry of
Justice and iRozhlas (2024).
41
Ministry of Justice (2025a).
42
Country visit Czechia, NEON/Glopolis.
43
No extra resources have been planned so far to be assigned to the responsible department in the Ministry of
Justice. Around 6 FTE and CZK 12 million are expected to be needed. Country visit Czechia, Transparency
International/Lobbio and Ministry of Justice and iRozhlas (2025) and Czech Government (2025), written
input, p. 11. Some civil society organisations consider this lack of resources puts at risk the broader
implementation of the anti-corruption policy and the Anti-Corruption Council already issued a
recommendation on this topic to the government in 2023. Ministry of Justice (2023), NEON/Glopolis
(2025), written input, pp. 11-12 and Country visit Czechia, Transparency International and Lobbio. The
Minister of Justice has stated these resources cannot be granted by the Ministry of Finance due to the
budgetary situation. Czech Senate (2025).
44
Police (2025) and Public Prosecution Service (2025).
45
This includes: indictments, motions for punishments, and agreements on guilt and punishment.
46
Public Prosecution Service (2025).
47
2024 Rule of Law Report, Czechia, p. 12.
48
Country visit Czechia, National Agency against Organised Crime and Public Prosecution Service. See also
2024 Rule of Law Report, Czechia, pp. 10-11.
8
analytical tool49
is being rolled out to investigators in a pilot phase50
. Cooperation with the
EPPO is generally good, with the results praised by stakeholders51
. Of its open cases in 2024,
the EPPO reported that five were related to corruption (3.3 % of its total open cases)52
.
Some progress was made on the recommendation to take measures to reduce the length
of proceedings and ensure the independence of investigation and prosecution in high-
level corruption cases53. Investigations, prosecutions and adjudications in cases of high-level
corruption, involving both former and current high-level officials continue, and additional
cases were detected54
. Some measures were taken to support the investigative stage, including
addressing the excessive caseload on the Regional Police Directorate in Prague, better
evaluating police performance in economic crime cases, and establishing an additional police
unit to aid in operative detection of economic crime 55
. Concerns persist over the length of
judicial proceedings in high-level corruption cases at all stages of the process, including
investigation, prosecution and adjudication56
. There were no new allegations of undue
interference reported as influencing high-level corruption cases in the reporting period57
. No
measures were taken to prevent such instances from re-occurring in the future. On the basis
of all these developments, there has been some progress on the recommendation made in the
2024 Rule of Law Report.
The Constitutional Court declared the technique used to revise legislation on conflicts of
interests unconstitutional and annulled the application of the revised provisions to
beneficial owners and media ownership58. In December 2024 the Constitutional Court
overturned parts of the revised legislation on conflicts of interest and in particular the
amendments aimed at excluding high-ranking politicians from media ownership59
on
49
A digital solution to input data and analysis uncovered during investigations in a uniform and standardised
manner.
50
Czech Government (2025), written input, pp. 7-8 and Country visit Czechia, National Agency against
Organised Crime.
51
Country visit Czechia, National Agency against Organised Crime, the Public Prosecution Service and the
Union of Public Prosecutors. See also 2024 Rule of Law Report, Czechia, p. 11.
52
EPPO (2025), Annual Report 2024, p. 25.
53
The 2024 Rule of Law Report recommended Czechia to “[t]ake measures to reduce the length of
proceedings and ensure independence of investigation and prosecution in high-level corruption cases.”
54
Examples of high-level corruption cases include the Dozimetr procurement scandal linked to Prague
municipal transport, the Brno municipal apartments sales case, and corruption cases in the IKEM and Motol
hospitals and cities of Olomouc and Pardubice. See 2024 Rule of Law Report, Czechia, pp. 11-12 (and
earlier editions), Country visit Czechia, National Agency against Organised Crime and the Public
Prosecution Service.
55
Czech Government (2025), written input, pp. 7-8.
56
According to data of the prosecution, the average length of proceedings from the start of investigation to the
final verdict ranged between 614 to 854 days in 2024, depending on the corruption offence, although this
data is not disaggregated between regular and high-level cases (compared to 64 to 1222 days in 2023). As an
example, a case involving a former Prime Minister and an MEP related to a 2008 subsidy fraud remains in
re-trial at the Court of Appeal. Charges in this case were brought for the first time in 2016. Public
Prosecution Service (2025). See also 2024 Rule of Law report, Czechia, pp. 11-12.
57
Country visit Czechia, Union of Judges, Union of Prosecutors, Public Prosecution Office and Transparency
International/Lobbio.
58
See also the broader discussion on transparency of media ownership as such in pillar III.
59
The 2023 Rule of Law report recommended to “[c]omplete the revision of legislation on conflicts of interest,
including by clarifying the definition of beneficial ownership.” In 2024, this recommendation was
considered fulfilled on the basis of the adoption of these legislative revisions.
9
procedural grounds60
. The application of the revised law, including the new monitoring
powers granted to the Office for the Supervision of the Finances of Political Parties and
Movements, has as such been suspended61
and the overall conflicts of interest legislation has
been reinstated to its state prior to amendment – therefore no longer covering beneficial
owners62
. As such, serving high-ranking politicians may in principle be beneficial owners of
media without this constituting a situation of conflict of interest. In practice, no such cases
were flagged by stakeholders63
. The current Government does not expect to reintroduce
similar amendments before the autumn 2025 parliamentary elections, although a draft bill
similar to the annulled provisions remains pending in Parliament as an individual MP
initiative64
.
A possible future revision of rules on asset declarations and revolving doors remains
under consideration at technical level. Following an analysis of the functioning of the
legislation on conflicts of interest from June 2024 and which focused on a possible extension
of asset reporting obligations65
, the Ministry of Justice has planned a further study on
“revolving doors” under the 2025-2026 action plan of the Anti-Corruption Strategy. This
qualitative analysis would focus on frequency, motivation and impact of revolving doors,
including possible preventive measures66
. A decision on possibly introducing new rules on
asset declarations or revolving doors will be for a new government following parliamentary
elections in autumn67
. The lack of broader rules on revolving doors for all categories of high-
level officials has been flagged as a gap in the legal framework68
. As regards asset
declarations, the Ministry of Justice established 1 277 failures to declare assets in 2024 (down
from 2 012 cases reported in 2023)69
. It conducted 44 in-depth verifications of declarations
filled by public officials leading to 10 cases of administrative proceedings against public
officials at municipal level70
. Civil society has criticised that the actual control of the
declarations is generally carried out at the local level by small municipal offices where the
relevant official has his main residence, leading to unequal implementation of the
legislation71
.
Legislation on lobbying was adopted as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Legislation on lobbying was adopted by Parliament in May 2025, having been proposed by
60
The conflicts of interest legislation was added to another, unrelated legislative procedure. This technique was
used in part to override obstruction of the Parliament’s regular work by opposition MPs. In response, a group
of 70 MPs of the main opposition party brought the complaint to the Constitutional Court. The Court did not
pronounce itself on the substance of the legislation. The Court ruled that because the bill that the conflicts of
interest legislation was attached to had no close relationship with either the purpose or the content of the
conflicts of interest legislation, and at the same time in the Chamber of Deputies a broad consensus on its
adoption had not been reached, it had to declare this technique unconstitutional. Constitutional Court (2024).
61
Office for the Supervision of the Finances of Political Parties and Movements (2025).
62
NEON/Glopolis (2025), written input, p. 14.
63
Civil society is not aware of any high-ranking politicians currently owning such media. Country visit
Czechia, Transparency International and Lobbio.
64
Country visit Czechia, Ministry of Justice.
65
2024 Rule of Law report, Czechia, pp. 13-14.
66
Ministry of Justice (2024), pp. 6-7.
67
Country visit Czechia, Ministry of Justice.
68
Including for Members of Parliament – see below. 2023 Rule of Law Report, Czechia, p. 14.
69
117 cases concerned failure to declare at the beginning of term, 1 023 involved annual declarations and 137
cases concerned the end of term declarations. Czech Government, written input, p. 10.
70
Czech Government, written input, p. 10.
71
RekonstruceStatu (2024a).
10
the government in March 202472
. Lobbying legislation was recommended by GRECO and is
included in Czechia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan73
. The law will apply from 1 July 2025
and introduces lobbying rules including a transparency register with obligations for both
lobbyists and lobbied parties to register their contacts as well as a legislative footprint74
. State
owned enterprises, chambers of commerce and associations of local governments are covered
in the scope of the law as lobbyists75
. The law includes provisions to ensure the transparency
of the legislative footprint76
. There is concern that effective implementation may be
hampered by insufficient resources77
.
Some progress was made on taking further the integrity framework for Parliament by
fully implementing the recommendation on lobbying while there was no progress in
rules on revolving doors78. The new law on lobbying also applies to members of Parliament
(although not to Parliamentary aides) and as such contributes to strengthening the overall
integrity framework for Members of Parliament. Rules on revolving doors remain unchanged
and a comprehensive framework is lacking in relation to gifts and benefits for members of
Parliament79
. The Chamber of Deputies only has voluntary ethics rules for its members, while
the Senate remains opposed to any such ethical rules80
. As such, some progress was made on
the recommendation of the 2024 Rule of Law Report, as the part on lobbying was fully
implemented and there was no progress as regards complementing the existing rules on
revolving doors.
Further measures aim to improve ethics of police and civil servants. A Commission for
Police Culture continues to develop recommendations on the acceptance of gifts and conflicts
of interests for police officers81
. On 1 January 2025, the amended Civil Service Act entered
into force, which prohibited civil servants from accepting any gifts or other benefits, with the
exception of gifts from the civil service authority itself82
. Training continued in 2024 to
update civil servants on the revised code of ethics adopted in 202383
.
New legislation on the financing of electoral campaigns was adopted by Parliament. The
Office for the Supervision of the Finances of Political Parties and Political Movements
72
Law on the regulation of lobbying.
73
Czechia has committed to adopt legislation on lobbying by mid-2025 under its Recovery and Resilience Plan
(milestone 206). See Annex to the Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the assessment of the
recovery and resilience plan for Czechia, pp. 131. Concerns have been raised by GRECO that in the absence
of such legislation, the transparency of contacts with lobbyists remains low. GRECO (2023),
recommendation I, paras 9-13.
74
2024 Rule of Law Report, Czechia, p. 15.
75
Some exceptions which are listed in Sec 2 para 2 (b, c) of the law may apply
76
The legislative footprint records a lobbyist who lobbied regarding specific legislation. Information about a
lobbied person and interest group that ordered lobbying is not included in the legislative footprint. However,
these data should be recorded in the lobbyist's declaration which shall be submitted two times a year.
77
Country visit Czechia, Transparency International/Lobbio and Ministry of Justice and iRozhlas (2025).
78
The 2024 Rule of Law report recommended Czechia to “[s]trengthen the integrity framework for members
of Parliament, in particular by complementing the existing rules as regards revolving doors and lobbying”.
79
The Government maintains a dialogue with both chambers of Parliament on this issue. The
recommendations from GRECO to adopt a Code of Ethics in both chambers of Parliament likewise remain
unfulfilled. GRECO (2023), recommendation ii, paras. 14-18.
80
Country visit Czechia, Ministry of Justice and 2024 Rule of Law Report, Czechia, p. 15.
81
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 9 and Country visit Czechia, Ministry of the Interior.
82
A recommendation will be attached to the Code of Ethics to clarify this for authorities; Czech Government
(2025), written input, p. 9.
83
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 9.
11
continues to function on the basis of its revised rules on collective and majority-based
decision-making84
. New legislation on electoral campaigns, which aim to consolidate the
current framework on political party financing was approved by the Senate on 11 June
202585
. The law would enter into force on 1 January 2026. The proposed legislation has been
welcomed by civil society86
.
An expansion of the Supreme Audit Office’s powers is being considered. A reform of the
Supreme Audit Office (SAO) is included in the Anti-Corruption Plan87
. Draft constitutional
amendments concerning the powers of the SAO were submitted in the interministerial
commenting procedure at the end of 2024. As in previous attempts to reform the Office, these
drafts seek to regulate the powers of the SAO to audit the Czech Radio and the Czech
Television and state-owned enterprises88
. Separately, legislation was filed by a group of
Members of Parliament that only focuses on auditing supervision over Czech Radio and
Television.
Awareness-raising on whistleblower protection continues. The Ministry of Justice
conducted extensive awareness-raising activities on the 2023 legislation on whistleblower
protection89
. It has committed to make the role of the Ministry as external reporting channel
more efficient, for example by enhancing the reporting tools and introducing secure
communication. Further training and awareness-raising activities are also planned90
. The
government reports that out of the 156 whistleblower reports received in 2024, 20 relate to
criminal behaviour and four out of those to economic crime91
.
Efforts to mitigate corruption risks in public procurement continue. As regards public
procurement, businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU show that 27% of companies
in Czechia (EU average 29%) think that corruption has prevented them from winning a public
tender or a public procurement contract in practice in the last three years92
. 43% of businesses
perceive the level of independence of the public procurement review body (The Office for the
Protection of Competition) as very or fairly good93
. The Single Market and Competitiveness
Scoreboard on access to public procurement in Czechia reports 40% of single bids for 2023
(EU avearge 29%)94
. Public procurement processes are seen as a main corruption risk area,
including by law enforcement, particularly because of issues such as lack of transparency in
84
Office for the Supervision of the Finances of Political Parties and Movements (2025). See also 2024 Rule of
Law Report, Czechia, pp. 15-16.
85
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 9 and draft Law on Electoral Campaigns (778). See also 2024
Rule of Law Report, Czechia, p. 16.
86
RekonstruceStatu (2024b).
87
Supreme Audit Office (2025), written input; Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 12.
88
None of these proposals focus on auditing supervision of local governments, which was also included in
previously proposed amendments. The State Audit Office reported that, given the approaching electoral
period, it is unlikely these amendments will be adopted during the current legislature. Supreme Audit Office
(2025), written input.
89
Czechia committed to adopt legislation on whistleblowing by the end of 2023 under its Recovery and
Resilience Plan (milestone 202). See Annex to the Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the
assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Czechia, pp. 130.
90
Ministry of Justice (2024), p. 11
91
Ministry of Justice (2025b).
92
Flash Eurobarometer 557 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2025). This is 2 percentage
points below the EU average.
93
Figure 59, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard.
94
2023 Single Market Scoreboard.
12
setting tender specifications or suppliers providing false information95
. As such, it is
addressed in the new anti-corruption action plan which strenghtens links with the existing
2024-2028 public procurement strategy. Both documents focus on making public
procurement more efficient and transparent96
. A proposed reform of the Office for the
Protection of Competition – a goal of both policy documents and an important demand from
civil society to improve transparency in public procurement – is currently stalled at
government leveland unlikely to move forward before elections97
. The risk measurement
finalised in 202398
led to the inclusion of sector-specific actions in the 2025-2026 Action Plan
against corruption, such as to prevent corruption in sports99
.
III. MEDIA PLURALISM AND MEDIA FREEDOM
New competences are envisaged for the media regulator in draft legislation which
provides media companies with additional rights and responsibilities. The draft Law on
Media Services is intended to align Czech legislation with the European Media Freedom Act,
including by making the media regulator responsible for scrutiny of market concentrations
and by expanding the definition of media service providers to those providing online services.
Furthermore, the regulator will be given a monitoring role to oversee that public bodies
publish the amounts allocated for the purpose of state advertising. The Media Pluralism
Monitor 2025 confirmed its low-risk score in relation to the independence of the media
regulator100
.
There have been further amendments to the legislation regulating Czech public service
television and radio, fully implementing the 2024 recommendation101. Amendments to
the Act on Czech Television and the Act on Czech Radio and other related acts have clarified
the public service remit of the public service broadcasters and reformed the financing system
to ensure sustainability by increasing the licence fee levied on households and introducing an
indexation to take inflation into account. The legislation also extends the categories of users
obliged to pay the fee to owners of devices other than television sets102
. While the increase in
the fee has been met with criticism from opposition parties and certain commercial
broadcasters, the management of both Czech Television and Czech Radio have warned that in
the absence of an increase in fees, a significant reduction in the creation of original content
and staff will be inevitable. Several stakeholders concur that these changes increase the
sustainability of public service media103
. In light of these developments, the Media Pluralism
Monitor (MPM) for Czechia considers this to now be an area presenting low risk104
. On this
basis, the Commission considers the recommendation to be fully implemented.
95
Office for the Protection of Competition (2025), Country visit Czechia, National Agency against Organised
Crime, NEON/Glopolis (2025), written input, p. 15.
96
Ministry of Justice (2024), p. 8.
97
RekonstruceStatu (2024c) and Transparency International Czechia (2025), written input, p. 10.
98
2024 Rule of Law Report Czechia, p. 17.
99
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 12.
100
Media Pluralism Monitor (2025), p. 14.
101
The 2024 Rule of Law report recommended to Czechia to “[e]nsure that rules or mechanisms are in place to
provide funding for public service media that is appropriate for the realisation of its public service remit
while guaranteeing its independence.”
102
Section 2 of the Act on radio and television fees.
103
Czech Syndicate of Journalists (2025), written input, and Lobbio (2025), written input; Country visit
Czechia, ECPMF and IPI.
104
Media Pluralism Monitor (2025), p. 23.
13
There has been no further progress in relation to transparency of media ownership105.
The decision of the Constitutional Court in relation to the amendments to legislation
regulating conflicts of interests106
may have a bearing on media ownership by politicians as
those amendments specifically precluded elected officials from owning media companies by
any means, including by means of a trust. In the meantime, there has been no development in
relation to media ownership transparency, which is an issue covered by the European Media
Freedom Act. The MPM 2025 registers an increase in risk score to medium risk in terms of
the political independence indicator and maintains its high-risk score for transparency of
media ownership pointing out that while the public can access information about beneficial
owners of legal entities – including media companies – via an electronic register, the
information in the registry is not verified107
. On this basis, no further progress has been made
in relation to the recommendation from the 2024 Rule of Law Report.
There have been increased efforts by the police to address cases of abuse against
journalists while concerns continue to be voiced regarding online harassment A recent
poll has found that up to 70% of Czech journalists experienced death threats or threats of
physical abuse, while 40% said they were targets of an orchestrated online campaign108
. Draft
amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure would, if adopted,
provide additional protection in terms of journalistic sources and confidential
communications109
. The MPM 2025 therefore maintains an unchanged medium risk score for
this area pointing out that online attacks against journalists, particularly female journalists,
are an ongoing problem together with the precarious working conditions many journalists
face110
. The Council of Europe Platform to promote the protection of journalism and the
safety of journalists received two new alerts since the publication of the last rule of law
report, concerning verbal threats and intimidations targeting an investigative reporter and an
exiled journalist who faced an extradition request from Russia111
. The Media Freedom Rapid
Response (MFRR) mechanism flagged four alerts relating to a draft bill, later abandoned,
limiting reporting on suspects and prosecuted persons in major criminal cases; the impact of
the termination of US funding on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; criticism by the anti-
monopoly authority of the style of journalism of a news portal and the case of the verbal
threats mentioned above112
.
IV. OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO CHECKS AND BALANCES
The Government took steps to improve the inclusiveness of the policy-making process.
Throughout 2024, the Government conducted pilot testing of the Methodology for the
Participation of non-governmental organisations in Consultative and Working Bodies with
the aim of enhancing civil society engagement in policymaking113
. The methodology was
105
The 2024 Rule of Law Report recommended that Czechia “[p]rogress with further reforms relating to
transparency of information on media ownership.”
106
Further described in Pillar II.
107
Media Pluralism Monitor 2025 report on Czechia, p. 17.
108
Hlidacipes (2024).
109
Czech government (2025), written input, p. 16.
110
Media Pluralism Monitor (2025), pp. 13-14.
111
Council of Europe, Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists. The
government has replied to both these alerts. In the former case, the journalist was afforded police protection
while in the latter the relevant court rejected the extradition request.
112
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (2025).
113
Country visit Czechia, Office of the Government.
14
submitted for official interministerial commenting procedure in the first half of the year 2025,
before being proceeded to the Czech government for discussion114
. A progressive roll-out of
the eLegislation system, a platform for drafting, commenting on and promulgating
legislation, started in July 2024 and is expected to continue until its full operation by 2026115
.
Organisational reform transferring the agenda of the Regulatory Impact Assessment to a
specialised unit within the Office of the Government aims to improve the quality of impact
assessments116
. Stakeholders reported regular inclusion and overall openness of the
consultation process117
.
The quality of legislation is impacted by the use of ‘legislative riders’. The continued
practice of additions of amendments insufficiently related to the substance of the legislative
proposal, allowing for circumventing regular legislative procedure (so-called ‘legislative
riders’), is considered problematic by various stakeholders as it hinders public consultation,
transparency, and legal certainty118
. The Constitutional Court held repeatedly in the cases
brought before it that such a practice can be in breach of constitutional and rule of law
principles119
.
Following the entry into force of the amendments to the Ombudsman Act, the
recommendation to establish a National Human Rights Institution can be considered
fully implemented120. The amendments to the Act on the Public Defender of Rights entered
into force on 1 July 2025. The amendments grant the Public Defender of Rights the role of a
NHRI and create a new position for a Children’s Ombudsman, who will operate within the
existing Office of the Public Defender of Rights. Launching the accreditation process is
envisaged for 2026121
. Stakeholders, including the Office of the Public Defender of Rights,
welcome this development, but pointed to the need of securing sufficient financial and human
resources for the operation of the new institutional settings122
.
On 1 January 2025, Czech Republic had 9 leading judgments of the European Court of
Human Rights pending implementation, an increase of 4 compared to the previous
year123. At that time, Czech Republic’s rate of leading judgments from the past 10 years that
had been implemented was at 56% (compared to 76% in 2024; 44% remained pending), and
the average time that the judgments had been pending implementation was 2 years and 8
months (compared to 4 years and 3 months in 2024)124
. The oldest leading judgment, pending
114
Czech Government (2025), additional written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
115
The aim is to facilitate and harmonise preparatory works within the legislative process, increase transparency
and provide for a better overview of the ongoing process. Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 20;
2024 Rule of Law Report, Czechia, p. 20.
116
Country visit Czechia, Office of the Government.
117
Country visit Czechia, Glopolis, NeoN, Czech Chamber of Commerce.
118
Country visit Czechia, Lobbio, Transparency International Czechia; STEM (2025), written input, p. 22. See
also Venice Commission (2010), pp. 23-24; Venice Commission (2016), p. 13.
119
For example, decisions of the Czech Constitutional Court, Pl. ÚS 77/6 and Pl. ÚS 41/23. The practice of
introducing legislative riders in the course of legislative process was declared unconstitutional by the
Constitutional Court (Pl. ÚS 41/23), even in cases when it occurs in response to obstructions in the
Parliament.
120
2024 Rule of Law Report recommended Czechia to “[c]ontinue to advance the legislative changes to
establish a National Human Rights Institution taking into account the UN Paris Principles.”
121
Czech Government (2025), p. 23; Country visit Czechia, Public Defender of Rights.
122
Country visit Czechia, Public Defender of Rights, League of Human Rights, Glopolis/NeoN.
123
For an explanation of the supervision process, see the website of the Council of Europe.
124
All figures calculated by the European Implementation Network (EIN) and based on the number of cases
that are considered pending at the annual cut-off date of 1 January 2025. EIN (2025), written input, p. 3.
15
implementation for 17 years, concerns the discrimination in the enjoyment by the applicants
of their right to education, due to their much higher likelihood, because of their Roma origin,
of being assessed as pupils with “mild mental disabilities” and thus assigned to special
primary schools 125
. As regards the respect of payment deadlines, on 31 December 2024 there
was 1 case in total awaiting confirmation of payments (compared to 2 in 2023)126
. On 16 June
2025, the number of leading judgments pending implementation had remained 9127
.
Over half of the companies surveyed in Czechia express confidence in the effectiveness
of investment protection. 61% of companies are very or fairly confident that investments are
protected by law and courts128
. As regards authorities relevant for economic operators, 48%
of companies perceive the level of independence of the national competition authority (the
Office for the Protection of Competition) as very or fairly good129
. Business stakeholders
generally perceive the level of consultation on the preparation of relevant pieces of legislation
as sufficient130
. The legislative framework provides various safeguards regarding decisions or
inaction of administrative authority131
, though stakeholders pointed out that judicial
proceedings following a challenge of an administrative decision can be lengthy132
. While
there are no specific mechanisms in place to ensure the implementation of administrative
court judgments133
, the enforcement of decisions issued in the administrative jurisdiction is
subject to general rules governing enforcement134
.
Some further measures have been adopted to enhance the enabling environment for
civil society. The civic space in Czechia continues to be considered “open”135
. The financial
framework for civil society organisations (‘CSOs’) was complemented by amendments to the
Public Collections Act and the extension of temporary tax benefits136
. The Government also
slightly increased the amount of funding to the civil society sector137
. Some stakeholders
expressed concerns that specific fields of CSO action continue to be at risk of
underfinancing138
. The Government further engaged in projects fostering a rule of law
125
Judgment of the ECtHR, 57325/00, D.H. and Others v. the Czech Republic, pending implementation since
2007.
126
Council of Europe (2025), p. 156.
127
Data according to the online database of the Council of Europe (HUDOC).
128
Figure 54, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard,
129
Figure 60, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard.
130
Country visit Czechia, Czech Chamber of Commerce, Association of small and medium enterprises, Změna
k lepšímu.
131
Czech Government (2025a), written input on single market dimension, p. 9.
132
Country visit Czechia, Czech Chamber of Commerce, Association of small and medium enterprises, Změna
k lepšímu.
133
Figure 49, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard 2025. The data presented reflects exclusively the mechanisms in
place at the level of the highest administrative jurisdictions; the same or other mechanisms may be in place
at lower instance administrative courts.
134
Decisions of the administrative courts issued under the Administrative Procedure Code serve as binding titles
for execution and enforcement (see Section 274(1)(b) of the Civil Procedure Code, Section 40(1)(a) of the
Execution Code, Section 176(1)(b) of the Tax Code).
135
Rating by CIVICUS; ratings are on a five-category scale defined as: open, narrowed, obstructed, repressed
and closed.
136
Act on Public Collections and Act on tax measures in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of
Ukraine caused by the invasion of the Russian Federation.
137
NEON/Glopolis (2025), written input, p. 26.
138
Country visit Czechia, League of Human Rights and Glopolis.
16
culture139
and in initiatives combating hate speech140
. However, some stakeholders reported
incidents of negative labelling of CSOs by some politicians141
.
139
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 27; STEM (2025), written input, p. 28.
140
Czech Government (2025), written input, p. 25. Country visit Czechia, League of Human Rights, Glopolis.
141
Country visit Czechia, Glopolis/NeoN; STEM (2025), written input, p. 27.
17
Annex I: List of sources in alphabetical order*
* The list of contributions received in the context of the consultation for the 2025 Rule of Law report
can be found at https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2025-rule-law-report-targeted-
stakeholder-consultation_en.
Advokátní deník (2025), The state will not pay judges' salaries yet, it will wait for the Constitutional
Court's decision (Stát zatím nedoplatí soudcům platy, počká na rozhodnutí Ústavního soudu),
https://advokatnidenik.cz/2025/06/26/stat-zatim-nedoplati-soudcum-platy-chce-pockat-na-rozhodnuti-
ustavniho-soudu/
Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (2025), Media Pluralism Monitor 2025, Country
report for Czechia, https://cmpf.eui.eu/projects/media-pluralism-monitor/.
Constitutional Court (2024), The amendment [of the Law on Conflicts of Interest] was passed via an
unconstitutional rider. The Constitutional Court therefore granted the motion for annulment brought
by a group of opposition parliamentarians, 10 December 2024,
https://www.usoud.cz/aktualne/pozmenovaci-navrh-predstavoval-neustavni-prilepek-ustavni-soud-
proto-vyhovel-navrhu-na-zruseni-zakona-podaneho-skupinou-poslancu-z-rad-opozice
Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers (2025), Supervision of the execution of judgments and
decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, 18th
Annual Report of the Committee of Ministers,
https://rm.coe.int/gbr-2001-18e-rapport-annuel-2024/1680b4d77d.
Council of Europe: Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists (2025),
https://fom.coe.int/en/pays/detail/11709502.
Council of Europe: Venice Commission (2016), Rule of Law Checklist, CDL-AD(2016)007,
https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD(2016)007-e.
Council of Europe: Venice Commission (2010), Report on the Role of the Opposition in a democratic
Parliament, CDL(2010)025, https://www.coe.int/en/web/venice-commission/-/CDL-AD(2010)025-e.
Czech Bar Association, (2025), written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
Czech Government (2025), written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
Czech Government (2025a), written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report on the single market
dimension.
Czech Senate (2025), Recording of 1st
day of 10th
meeting (debate on law on lobbying),
https://www.senat.cz/xqw/xervlet/pssenat/hlasovani?action=steno&O=15&IS=7682&D=21.05.2025#
b26633
Czech Syndicate of Journalists (2025), written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
ČT24 (2025), Judges are preparing a mass wave of lawsuits over the salary amendment (Soudci
chystají masovou vlnu žalob kvůli platové novele — ČT24 — Česká televize, 25 April 2025),
https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/domaci/soudci-chystaji-masovou-vlnu-zalob-kvuli-platove-
novele-360242
Draft Act amending Act No 166/1993 on the Supreme Audit Office,
https://www.odok.cz/portal/veklep/material/ALBSD9TFJZIE/
Draft Constitutional Act amending Constitutional Act No 1/1993 Coll., the Constitution of the Czech
Republic, https://www.odok.cz/portal/veklep/material/ALBSD9TFVYD3/
18
Draft Law on Electoral Campaigns, nr. 778, https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&t=778
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Media Freedom Rapid Response – Czechia.
European Court of Human Rights, judgement of 13 November 2007, D.H. and Others v. the Czech
Republic, 57325/00.
European Implementation Network (EIN) (2025), written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) (2025), Annual Report 2024.
GRECO (2023), Fourth Evaluation Round – Second Compliance Report, Czechia, 16 June 2023,
https://rm.coe.int/fourth-evaluation-round-corruption-prevention-in-respect-of-members-
of/1680ab9d42
Hlidacipes (2024), Sexual harassment, threats and hatred... Against journalists in the Czech Republic
(Sexuální obtěžování, výhrůžky a nenávist… Vůči novinářkám (a novinářům) v Česku),
https://hlidacipes.org/sexualni-obtezovani-vyhruzky-a-nenavist-vuci-novinarkam-a-novinarum-v-
cesku/?_zn=aWQ9NTMwNTU5NzIyNjA3NDc2NDQ3MHx0PTE3MjYwNDk5MjQuMjk4fHRlPTE
3MzgyMzY3NDAuMDIxfGM9OEJCNzhBNEE2QzJERTYyQUUzNDEzMjRCRDNFMTVDMDc%
3D
iRozhlas (2023), “Unfortunate signal” - the government approves the anti-corruption strategy, but
does not dedicate enough people to it (‚Nešťastný signál.‘ Stát schvaluje protikorupční agendu,
nevyčleňuje ale na ni dost lidí), https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/protikorupcni-zakony-
urednici-kapacity-zakony-lobbing-oznamovatele_2312160500_pik //
iRozhlas (2024), Taking over from the Pirates, Blazek immediately abolishes the obligation of the
Anti-Corruption Council to convene twice a year (Radu pro boj s korupcí převzal po Pirátech Blažek.
Hned zrušil povinnost svolat ji dvakrát do roka) https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/blazek-
predseda-vladni-rada-pro-boj-s-korupci-zrusil-dve-setkani-rocne_2412070500_tec
iRozhlas (2025), Czechia has to introduce a law on lobbying, but Stanjura will not assign money to
implement the law, 12 April 2025 (‚Nutné zlo.‘ Česko musí zavést kontrolu lobbování, peníze na
dodržování zákona ale Stanjura nedá), https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/zakon-o-lobbingu-
stanjura-ministerstvo-financi-protikorupcni-zakony_2504120500_tec
Lobbio (2025), written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
Ministry of Justice (2023), Meeting of the Anti-Corruption Council of 21 November 2023,
https://korupce.cz/zaznamy/?a=5635
Ministry of Justice (2024), Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025-2026, November 2024,
https://korupce.cz/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Akcni-plan-boje-proti-korupci-na-roky-2025-a-
2026.pdf
Ministry of Justice (2025a), Annual report on the activities of the Government Council for the
Coordination of the Fight against Corruption in 2024 (VÝROČNÍ ZPRÁVA o činnosti Rady vlády pro
koordinaci boje s korupcí v roce 2024), https://korupce.cz/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Vyrocni-
zprava-o-cinnosti-Rady-vlady-pro-koordinaci-boje-s-korupci-v-roce-2024.pdf
Ministry of Justice (2025b), Press Release – Publication of the 2024 Annual Report on the Ministry’s
activities in the area of whistle-blower protection (Zveřejňujeme Výroční zprávu o činnosti
ministerstva na úseku ochrany oznamovatelů v roce 2024), https://msp.gov.cz/en/web/msp/tiskove-
zpravy/-/clanek/zve%C5%99ej%C5%88ujeme-v%C3%BDro%C4%8Dn%C3%AD-zpr%C3%A1vu-
o-%C4%8Dinnosti-ministerstva-na-%C3%BAseku-ochrany-oznamovatel%C5%AF-v-roce-2024?
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Ministry of Justice (2025c), Evaluation of the implementation of the measures listed in the Anti-
Corruption Action Plan 2023 and 2024 for 2024 (Zhodnocení plnění opatření uvedených v Akčním
plánu boje proti korupci na roky 2023 a 2024 za rok 2024), https://korupce.cz/wp-
content/uploads/2025/04/Zhodnoceni-plneni-opatreni-uvedenych-v-Akcnim-planu-boje-proti-korupci-
na-roky-2023-a-2024-za-rok-2024.pdf
NEON/Glopolis (2025), written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
Office for the Supervision of the Finances of Political Parties and Movements (2025), written
contribution received following the country visit.
Police (2025), written contribution received following the country visit.
Public Prosecution Service (2025), written contribution received following the country visit.
RekonstruceStatu (2024a), Are there no more conflicts of interest at the highest level? Some MPs
rejected better rules against conflicts of interest for members of government,
https://www.rekonstrukcestatu.cz/archiv-novinek/stret-zajmu-na-nejvyssi-urovni-uz-nevadi-nekteri-
poslanci-odmitli-lepsi-pravidla-proti-stretu-zajmu-clenu-vlady
RekonstruceStatu (2024b), Will election campaigns become more fair? Government publishes draft
laws against false campaigns and foreign election interference (Budou volební kampaně férovější?
Vláda posvětila návrhy zákonů proti lživým kampaním a proti vměšování do voleb ze zahraničí),
https://www.rekonstrukcestatu.cz/archiv-novinek/budou-volebni-kampane-ferovejsi-vlada-posvetila-
navrhy-zakonu-proti-lzivym-kampanim-a-proti-vmesovani-do-voleb-ze-zahranici
RekonstruceStatu (2024c), The reform of the review of public procurement as a side-effect addresses
an issue of administrative procedure which has been forgotten (Reforma přezkumu veřejných zakázek
jako vedlejší efekt řeší problém správního řízení, na který se zapomnělo)
https://www.rekonstrukcestatu.cz/archiv-novinek/reforma-prezkumu-verejnych-zakazek-jako-
vedlejsi-efekt-resi-problem-spravniho-rizeni-na-ktery-se-zapomnelo
SeznamZpravy (2024), Anti-corruption plan for weapons tenders? Naive, laughs the military police
(Plán proti korupci ve zbrojních tendrech? Naivní, smáli se vojenští policisté),
https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-kauzy-plan-proti-korupci-ve-zbrojnich-tendrech-naivni-
smali-se-vojensti-policiste-245739
Supreme Audit Office (2025), written contribution received following the country visit.
STEM (2025), written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
Transparency International Czechia (2025), written input for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
National legislation
Act No, 252/2024 Coll., amending Act No. 182/2006 Coll., on insolvency.
Act No. 117/2001 Coll., on public collections.
Act No. 128/2022 Coll., on tax measures in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of
Ukraine caused by the invasion of the Russian Federation.
Act No. 201/1997 Coll., on the salary and certain other allowances of public prosecutors.
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Act No. 236/1995 Coll., on the salary and other emoluments connected with the performance of the
duties of public officials and certain state bodies and judges and members of the European Parliament.
Act No. 283/1993 Coll., on public prosecution service.
Act No. 319/2024 Coll., amending Act No. 6/2002 Coll., on courts and judges.
Act No. 348/2005 Coll., on radio and television fees.
Act No. 483/1991, on Czech television.
Act No. 484/1991, on Czech radio.
Act No. 7/2002 Coll., on proceedings in the cases of judges, prosecutors and bailiffs.
Amendment to the Constitution, nr. 879, https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&T=879
Amendments to the Supreme Audit Office, nr. 881, https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&T=881
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Annex II: Country visit to Czechia
The Commission services held virtual meetings in March 2025 with:
• Administration of the Parliament (replies received in writing)
• Anti-Corruption Council of the Government
• Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
• Association of Private Broadcasters
• Constitutional Court
• Czech Bar Association
• Czech Chamber of Commerce
• Czech National Committee of International Press Institute
• Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting
• Endowment for Independent Journalism
• European Centre for Press and Media Freedom
• League of Human Rights
• Lobbio
• Ministry of Culture
• Ministry of Interior
• Ministry of Justice
• National Organized Crime Agency
• NeoN/Glopolis
• Office for the Protection of Competition (replies received in writing)
• Office for the Supervision of the Finances of Political Parties and Movements (replies
received in writing)
• Office of the Government
• Ombudsman
• Prosecutor General's Office
• Supreme Administrative Court (replies received in writing)
• Supreme Audit Office
• Supreme Court
• Syndicate of Journalists (replies received in written)
• Transparency International Czech Republic
• Union of Judges
• Union of Public Prosecutors
• Změna k lepšímu
* The Commission also met the following organisations in a number of horizontal meetings:
• Amnesty International
• Araminta
• Civil Liberties Union for Europe
• Civil Society Europe
• European Civic Forum
• European Partnership for Democracy
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• European Youth Forum,
• International Commission of Jurists
• International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
• JEF Europe
• Philea – Philanthropy Europe Association.
• Transparency International