Morning Briefing: Pavel Warns of Attacks on Judicial Independence, Senate to Debate Return of EET, and České Budějovice Hospital Performs Brain Surgery Using AR Glasses

Czech President Petr Pavel warned on Wednesday morning of the dangers of undermining trust in the judiciary amid an ongoing conflict with the government, while the Senate prepares to debate the return of electronic sales registration (EET) and other major reforms in August. Meanwhile, doctors in České Budějovice have performed the Czech Republic's first brain surgeries using AR glasses and artificial intelligence.

Petr Pavel said that public statements about bias or political influence over the courts undermine trust in the rule of law. He spoke at a conference organized by the Defence of Democracy Network, Transparency International, and Glopolis to mark the release of the European Commission's 2025 Rule of Law Report. According to the president, democratic institutions require constant protection and should never be taken for granted.

The remarks came as the government seeks to have the Constitutional Court dismiss a complaint filed by Pavel, who was excluded from the Czech delegation at the recent NATO summit.

The Czech Senate will consider the return of electronic sales registration (EET), amendments to the building act, and civil service reform at its session on August 19–20. According to Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil, the building act is likely to face particularly close scrutiny and could be amended or rejected outright. Senators will also review a bill to reinstate EET starting in 2027, along with reforms to civil service rules. The government argues these measures will improve tax collection and simplify administration, while critics warn they could lead to more bureaucracy and political interference.

Neurosurgeons at the hospital in České Budějovice have become the first in the Czech Republic — and only the third team in the world — to perform brain surgery using 3D glasses, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. The technology was introduced in June and has already been used successfully on two patients. The system projects AI-generated holograms of the patient's brain directly into the surgeon's field of vision, helping ensure more precise catheter placement during surgery. Reportedly, only five patients worldwide have undergone procedures using this technology so far.

The Czech Ministry of Health plans to expand palliative care nationwide by 2035. According to Health Minister Adam Vojtěch, the goal of the new strategy is to prepare the healthcare system for a growing number of patients requiring specialized care, as well as to train more doctors and nurses to work with palliative patients. Ministry data show that around 60% of people who die in the Czech Republic each year need palliative care, a share expected to rise significantly by 2050. The ministry plans to establish dedicated care teams in regions that currently lack them, expand pediatric palliative care, and train thousands of healthcare workers and caregivers.

After a summer marked by sharp temperature swings — from record-breaking heat to sudden cold snaps — the Czech Republic is set for yet another shift in weather this August. Meteorologists forecast that temperatures will remain below seasonal averages during the first half of the month. Before that, a brief warm spell is expected in late July. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, temperatures in early August will hover around or slightly below normal, with rainfall expected to be close to typical levels — though summer storms could still bring noticeable regional variation.

Around Prague, based on reporting by expats.cz