Czech news in brief for October 23: Thursday’s top morning headlines

Negotiators for a potential coalition (ANO, SPD, Motorists) confirmed a “fundamental revision” of educational inclusion is planned. While not yet detailing the government program, likely Education Minister Robert Plaga stated the revision would strengthen special schools and classes, and significantly increase the number of special educators and psychologists available to assist students in mainstream schools.

Journalist Vojtěch Dobeš, a former friend of newly elected MP and Motorists’ Honorary President Filip Turek, revealed he took screenshots of Turek’s controversial Facebook posts. Dobeš said he is willing to testify to the authenticity of the alleged racist, sexist, and homophobic statements, which the police are now investigating. Dobeš spoke publicly due to safety concerns.

The Czech government approved a new five-year strategy to combat anti-Semitism, focusing on securing Jewish life, enhanced security cooperation, and public education. The plan, drafted with Jewish communities, will establish a special coordinator and address the rising number of anti-Semitic incidents, which saw a nearly 90 percent increase in 2023, particularly online following the Oct. 7 attacks.

Police recovered a car containing human remains from the Lipno reservoir in Czechia. The vehicle is linked to the 10-year-old case of two missing Austrian men, 26-year-old Andreas Leitner and Maximilian Baumgartner, who disappeared in 2015. The low water level aided the discovery. Authorities are investigating the circumstances and identifying the remains.

The original skeletal remains of 3.2-million-year-old human ancestors, Lucy and Selam, are on their last day of public display at the National Museum in Prague. The highly anticipated exhibition, which was on loan from the Ethiopian National Museum, drew a massive crowd of visitors, prompting the museum to implement timed tickets, extend its opening hours, and reinforce security for the irreplaceable fossils.