After the Russian ruble was devalued, and the Russian economy edged even closer to complete disaster, the pressure increased on the Czech crown, and the Prague stock market suffered the deepest drop in the country s history on 27 August. The Czech Statistical Office announced that GDP growth this year would likely be zero. June figures show that real wages fell yet again. Inflation surpassed the nominal rise in salaries. The fall since the beginning of the year continues as family budgets are squeezed to the limit.
Regional differences continue to be the main cause for concern.
The Czech government announced the formation of an international commission to investigate the issue of the Temel n nuclear plant in South Bohemia, though no Austrians were nominated. Austria has been critical of the project. May. Though at first a supporter of forming a vigilante group to protect local Roma, Bal soon changed his mind and stated that he put his trust in the police. His words helped assure that no revenge-seeking group emerged. Now in Dover with his family, Bal says that he emigrated after police refused to take action on the threatening letters he has received over the summer.