Czech Prime Minister Babiš targets drug laws and faces environmental criticism

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has called for urgent legislative changes to combat the illegal sale of addictive substances following the KORUND inspection operation. Babiš described the findings as ‘terrifying,’ noting that authorities inspected approximately 1,000 locations and found legal violations in 63 percent of them. Laboratory tests revealed that 87 percent of analyzed samples contained dangerous synthetic psychoactive substances.

To address these issues, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch and Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar are tasked with proposing legal amendments by September 14 to allow for the closure of non-compliant establishments. Babiš criticized previous liberal policies for failing to provide authorities with sufficient powers to act against those bypassing the law.

Separately, musician Dan Bárta has criticized the Babiš administration regarding environmental management. Speaking at a meeting hosted by President Petr Pavel, Bárta accused the government of being indifferent to the long-term impacts of climate change and drought. He characterized the government's handling of the Czech landscape as ‘amateurish’ and ‘predatory,’ suggesting that officials are more focused on self-interest than addressing ecological crises.