Czech news in brief for November 5: Wednesday’s top morning headlines

The new Chamber of Deputies reconvenes today to elect its Speaker and Deputy Speakers following October elections. SPD leader Tomio Okamura is likely to be nominated for Speaker, backed by the ANO, SPD, and Motorists coalition. Opponent Jan Bartošek (KDU-ČSL) has been nominated by opposition parties. Debate is expected to be lengthy, focusing on Okamura’s past statements, EU and NATO positions, and ongoing criminal prosecution.

EU environment ministers agreed on a revised 2040 climate target, lowering the carbon dioxide reduction goal from 90 percent to 85 percent, and delaying the ETS 2 emissions trading system to 2028. Czech Minister Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL) confirmed Prague voted against the deal, citing technological feasibility and missing sectoral impact studies. The Czech Republic, with Italy and other Central European nations, successfully secured flexibility on alternative fuels, internal combustion engine rules, and innovation funding.

Czech Post is distributing a handbook on emergency preparedness to all households, part of the country’s largest public information campaign on crises. The guide, printed in over five million copies, covers floods, fires, tornadoes, and power outages, advising residents to maintain a three-day supply of food, water, and medicine. Versions are available in Czech, English, Ukrainian, and accessible formats for the deaf and blind.

The Czech military kicked off Hradba 2025, a large-scale exercise involving 3,000 troops, drones, and territorial forces across all 13 regions and Prague until November 21. Drawing on lessons from Ukraine, the army is testing drone surveillance, detection, and neutralization, including optical-fiber systems. Colonel Jaroslav Hrabec says results will shape future equipment and tactics, aiming to equip every territorial unit with drones and anti-drone capabilities.

The Fairmont Golden Prague Hotel, D4 highway, and Pardubice hospital’s emergency and surgical pavilion are among the Buildings of the Year 2025, selected from 49 nominees by the Foundation for the Development of Architecture and Construction. Judges praised the hotel’s sensitive renovation of a brutalist landmark and the hospital’s operational redesign. Awards were presented at a gala in Prague’s Rudolfinum, with special prizes from the Culture and Regional Development ministries.

Czechs remain skeptical about the incoming government’s pledge to build 10,000 new apartments a year to tackle Prague’s housing crunch. In yesterday’s poll, 57 percent of readers said the plan would likely make the situation worse, while just 14 percent thought it would improve housing conditions. Another 29 percent see it as a market problem that politics can barely solve. Voting is still open; if you haven’t weighed in yet, share your opinion.