Czech news in brief for November 6: Thursday’s top morning headlines

Tomio Okamura, head of the far-right SPD party, was elected Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies with 107 votes. Critics accuse him of spreading xenophobia and anti-EU views, while Okamura pledged to act impartially and “offer his hand to all.” This makes him one of the country’s top officials, a shift that critics say poses a risk to the “pro-Western direction, democratic constitutional values, and sense of dignity.”

Read more about the Speaker’s role in Czech politics here.

An autumn inversion is back, splitting Czechia’s weather. Expect fog, drizzle, and 5°C temperatures in lowlands, but sunshine and up to 15°C in the mountains. Air stagnation may increase pollution levels in cities. The best conditions will be above the clouds; ideal for mountain trips or weekend escapes. Keep an eye on air quality alerts if you live in Prague or other urban areas.

Czech regions are reducing places in multi-year (six- and eight-year) grammar schools, favoring four-year programs instead. Parents have launched petitions in protest, arguing this limits early-entry options for younger students. Officials say the change reflects low demand and aims to better allocate resources. Families planning for school-aged children may need to rethink enrollment strategies and monitor how the shift affects academic opportunities across the country.

Prague’s newly renovated Planetarium, reopened in June, is battling bots and fake ticket resales after overwhelming online demand crashed its system. Managers have filed a police complaint and will now release tickets only week by week. Several visitors were scammed through resale sites. The Planetarium urges customers to buy only from its official e-shop to ensure authenticity and avoid losing access to popular shows.

The renovation of Prague’s Kotva department store has been postponed by a year, with reopening now expected in 2028. Developer Generali Real Estate cites the project’s complexity, though asbestos removal and demolition work are finished. The modernization will keep Kotva’s brutalist legacy while adding offices and new retail spaces. Expect long-term construction around Náměstí Republiky.