Czech news in brief for November 2: Sunday’s top afternoon headlines

Ahead of the inaugural session of the new Chamber of Deputies on Monday, leaders of ANO, SPD, and the Motorists will sign their coalition agreement and unveil their government program. The prospective cabinet, led by ANO chairman Andrej Babiš, aims to be formed by mid-December. The coalition plans 16 ministerial posts, prioritizing energy, healthcare, housing, pensions, and security, while confirming positions on EU membership and NATO.

The Pirate Party has sent President Petr Pavel an analysis arguing against appointing Motorist nominees Petr Macinka and Filip Turek to the new government. Party leader Zdeněk Hřib cited Turek’s extremist social media posts and alleged tax issues, and criticized Macinka over a sponsorship donation linked to his plan to abolish the CHKO Soutok protected area. The analysis highlights potential conflicts of interest and questions their suitability for ministerial posts.

Analysts expect the Czech National Bank’s monetary board to leave the key interest rate unchanged at 3.5 percent at Thursday’s meeting, where it has stood since late May. Persisting inflationary pressures and steady economic growth are cited as reasons. The central bank is unlikely to adjust rates this year, though future changes will depend on inflation trends and incoming economic data.

The Czech Army plans to enlist 2,250 new soldiers next year, one of the highest annual intakes in its history. This follows a strong 2025 recruitment, which exceeded 2,300 recruits. The goal aligns with NATO requirements and the need to strengthen the force amid security concerns related to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Salary increases and allowances are expected to help attract new personnel.

Czech Environment Minister Petr Hladik warned that rejecting the EU’s ETS 2 emissions system could expose the country and its citizens to financial penalties and loss of EU funding. The future coalition of ANO, SPD and Motorists plans to oppose the system’s introduction, which would cover road transport and heating. Hladik stressed that compliance is required under EU law, despite ongoing efforts to limit allowance prices.

The incoming Czech government coalition has announced its intention to scrap license fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio. What are your thoughts on this?