1️⃣ Incoming Czech government coalition affirms EU, NATO ties
Czechia’s incoming government coalition of ANO, SPD, and the Motorists has confirmed the country’s firm anchoring in the EU and NATO, ruling out a referendum on these memberships, ANO’s Karel Havlíček said. The parties discussed diplomacy, culture, and Ukraine, emphasizing regional cooperation with Visegrad countries and transatlantic ties. The coalition also plans to review other international commitments, allowing possible referendums on them while preserving Czech veto powers in the EU.
2️⃣ Activists ask Pavel for meeting on Motorists
Activists including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have asked President Petr Pavel for a meeting to express concerns about Petr Macinka of the Motorists party potentially leading the Environment Ministry. Demonstrators at Prague’s Hradčany Square on Oct. 19 opposed Macinka, citing fears he would weaken nature and climate protection. Petitions and open letters from scientists and students have echoed these worries. Talks continue among ANO, SPD, and Motorists.
3️⃣ Czechia helps bust €48 million VAT fraud ring
Czech police joined an EU-wide crackdown on VAT fraud in the electronics trade, coordinated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Munich. The probe led to seven arrests and searches at over 100 sites across seven countries, uncovering evidence and assets worth millions. Czech officials confirmed their role in the operation led against fictitious firms exploiting VAT loopholes since 2018.
4️⃣ Czechia turns back the clock tonight; trains affected
Czechia ends summer time on Sunday, moving clocks back from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m., extending the night. Ten Czech Railways night trains and seven private services, including Leo Express and RegioJet, will pause at stations to adjust departures. Commuters should expect delays. The shift also shortens daylight in evenings, raising road safety concerns. Winter time will remain until the last Sunday in March 2026.
5️⃣ Man gets 24 years for setting woman on fire
A court in Ostrava sentenced 32-year-old David Anderka to 24 years in a high-security prison for attempting to murder a woman by setting her on fire in Frýdek-Místek last year. The victim, in her 50s, sustained severe burns over half her body. Anderka was also ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment and pay nearly CZK 6 million in compensation.
📊 We asked our readers to weigh in on digital driving licenses in Czechia. Twenty-eight percent said they found them more convenient, while 72 percent said they prefer to have a physical license. Take Friday’s poll here.