Czech news in brief for January 31: Saturday’s top afternoon headlines

The civic group Milion chvilek has expanded its planned Sunday demonstration in Prague from Old Town Square to also include the lower part of Wenceslas Square, citing massive interest. Organizers estimate 30,000–50,000 attendees from across the country will attend, plus locals. The event, starting at 3 p.m., aims to support President Petr Pavel amid allegations that Foreign Minister Petr Macinka tried to pressure him. Two additional screens and sound systems will be installed for participants.

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and Green Deal envoy Filip Turek visited former President Miloš Zeman in Lány on Saturday. They discussed government priorities, the state budget, and relations with neighboring countries. Zeman expressed support for reforms in the foreign service and emphasized maintaining strong regional ties while defending Czech national interests. The meeting took place ahead of a demonstration supporting President Petr Pavel over recent issues with Macinka on Sunday.

Czech doctors recorded 293 new HIV cases in 2025, the highest annual total since monitoring began. Nearly half of the cases involved long-term foreign residents, many previously diagnosed abroad. Men who have sex with men accounted for 51.5 percent of infections, though heterosexual transmission is rising. Experts note an upward trend since 2020. Modern HIV treatment allows patients to live normal lives while preventing transmission, reducing progression to AIDS.

In Hnojník, in Czechia’s Frýdek-Místek district, several parcel lockers were damaged in a nighttime explosion in the early hours of Jan. 31. Police confirmed the incident and said no danger to the public was reported. Officers arrived after a report to the emergency line and found significant damage. Explosive detection dogs were deployed, and investigators are working with the pyrotechnic unit to determine the cause of the blast.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s adviser Miroslav Lajčák has resigned, hours after media reports linked him to Jeffrey Epstein. Opposition parties had called for his removal. Published messages suggest Epstein allegedly offered women to Lajčák and sought meetings with far-right figure Steve Bannon, which Lajčák denies. Fico previously defended his adviser, who rejected claims of arranging meetings or involving women in any discussions.