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Germany’s Bertelsmann Foundation has ranked the Czech Republic first among transforming countries, ahead of Slovenia, Estonia, and Taiwan, in an important study conducted over the last two years. The foundation’s so-called Transformation Index rated a total of 125 states, taking into account both political and economic criteria.

A new survey makes alarming reading for the millions of people in this country who ride in elevators every day. Figures compiled by the Union of Lift Producers suggest that more than half of all elevators in the Czech Republic are unsafe. Problems range from missing safety doors to braking systems containing asbestos.

The Czech Republic remains reserved towards recognizing Kosovo as an independent country. After the former Serbian province proclaimed independence on Sunday, Czech diplomats said they would wait for a common EU strategy on the issue. But a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday failed to reach any joint policy towards Kosovo, and the Czech Foreign Ministry has set down its own conditions for the recognition of Kosovo.

Newly released government figures suggest that more and more Czechs are seeking psychiatric help. But does this mean that an increasing number of Czechs are having mental health problems or do the numbers merely demonstrate that more Czechs are overcoming the stigma attached to mental health?

Václav Klaus was re-elected president of the Czech Republic on Friday. Mr Klaus had been the favourite from the outset, but his re-election still took two three-round elections, with deputies and senators in session for a total of nearly 25 hours. And the elections were not without controversy; there were allegations of bribery, corruption, even mafia tactics, and a great deal of strong language on all sides.

It was meant to be a big day for Czech skiing but now it looks more like an international fiasco. This weekend, the north Bohemian village of Vesec is due to host a World Cup event in cross-country skiing, but its organizers were up against a last minute hitch: there was no snow on the track. Instead of calling the event off, they decided to transport some ten cubic metres of snow from the Jizera Mountains, aggravating both nature conservationists and the public. I spoke to Jakub Kašpar from the Environment Ministry and asked him what exactly went

In an interview with our correspondent Dominik Jůn, political analyst Jiří Pehe assesses the impact of president Klaus’s re-election:

For many politicians as well as the public, the week between the first presidential election, which was concluded last Saturday, and this Friday’s one, was very long indeed. But rather than being a time for reflection and even policy-centred campaigning, the Czech political sphere boiled over with accusations of foul play, criminal conduct, extortion and blackmail.

In a crucial third round of voting at Prague Castle on Friday night President Václav Klaus won a second term in office. Ian Willoughby has been following developments and talks to us now from the castle.

The Communists have admitted that tactics are behind their nomination of Czech MEP Jana Bobošíková as their candidate for president. On Wednesday party representatives effectively admitted to raising the stakes ahead of the election: last week’s vote proved inconclusive after neither of two candidates – neither Jan Švejnar nor incumbent Václav Klaus – gained enough votes. This Friday will see a second attempt and if the Communists are true to their word, it could be a different affair by far.