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The Czech Republic is often characterised as a snowboarding power to be reckoned with on the world stage with the country’s sole Winter Olympic gold so far confirming that label. But the early days were far from easy and there are still traces of the past Cinderella status.

Improved tax collection is one of the mainstays of the new centre-left government’s policy programme and many of its promises of improved social welfare hang on its ability to fill state coffers by successfully fighting tax fraud. At the weekend, the prime minister unveiled a series of measures in the pipeline.

Police made a key arrest on Thursday as they try and unravel a convoluted case involving the company that runs Prague’s metro, trams and buses. Each time anyone buys a paper ticket, a tiny proportion of the sum goes to an obscure offshore company in the Virgin Islands. Investigators believe the money ends up in the hands of Ivo Rittig, a Monaco-based Czech businessman who was among four people arrested on money-laundering charges. The burly Mr Rittig started life as an amateur boxer and money-changer, but he’s now believed to be one of the most

The Czech government on Wednesday approved its policy programme for the coming four years, outlining a vision on the basis of which it will seek a vote of confidence in the lower house next Tuesday. The center-left coalition promises to support economic growth, create new jobs, make public administration more efficient and foster social cohesion.

Six emerging designer talents from the Czech Republic are presenting their work at International Fashion Showcase 2014, which opens in London on Thursday. The two-week exhibition, held within London Fashion Week, will feature fresh new collections of garments, jewellery and accessories from across central Europe. I called the head of the Czech Centre in London Tereza Porybná to find out more.

The police have charged former prime minister Petr Nečas with corruption. The case is related to a bribery scandal which toppled his government last June and investigators say it could re-define the rules of political deal-making. Mr Nečas, meanwhile, considers the charges a revenge for a lawsuit he filed against the police.

Next month’s local elections should be particularly interesting in the Moravian capital, where the protest group Žít Brno have just announced that they will stand. Their move comes in response to the removal of their Facebook page on the orders of Brno’s mayor, a frequent target of the group’s satire. But what can Žít Brno actually achieve?

Switzerland’s vote in favour of imposing quotas on EU migrants has put migration issues very much in the spotlight. While the Czech Republic has criticized the Swiss decision and stressed it has no plans to restrict the movement of EU citizens, it has its own migration headache. Its immigration policy with respect to non-EU members remains tough, despite an aging population and a need for skilled workers. Commentator Jiri Pehe says that this is something that will need to change.

Phrases about friendship being cemented by food do not hold true of the current relations between the Czech Republic and Poland. Tensions over Polish food exports have surfaced again due to the composition and comments coming out of the new Czech government.

Prague could soon host an international think tank aimed at promoting democracy in the former Soviet Union and further afield. A joint project of the Czech, US and Swedish governments and several NGOs, the institute should also provide training to future leaders of countries in transition. The Czech Foreign Ministry has confirmed such plans are being discussed but refuses to give details. I spoke to Kateřina Šafaříková of the daily Lidové noviny who reported the story over the weekend.