Czech news in brief for November 16: Sunday’s top afternoon headlines

A cold front will bring winter weather to Czechia starting Monday, with snow spreading from the mountains to lower areas. Morning precipitation will begin as rain in Moravia and Silesia, while northern and central Bohemia will see snow above 700 meters. Up to 20 cm may fall in the Krkonoše and Jizera mountains. Night temperatures will drop to 1 to minus 3 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs will remain just above freezing.

The 36th anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution will be observed across the Czech Republic on Monday with rallies, concerts, debates, and memorial events. Prague’s Národní třída will be the focal point, hosting state officials, music performances, and videomapping shows. Regional events include parades in České Budějovice, freedom concerts in Zlín, public readings in Pilsen, and student gatherings in Ostrava, commemorating both the 1939 student protests and the 1989 fall of communism.

Andrej Babiš, likely to become Czech prime minister for the second time, will publicly explain how he plans to resolve his potential conflict of interest with Agrofert either on the day of his appointment or the day before, depending on agreement with President Petr Pavel. Babiš will take irreversible steps but will not sell the company. Opposition parties may hold a special parliamentary session to demand clarification before he assumes office.

From December, new regulations will tighten the sale and labeling of e-cigarettes in Czechia. Flavored products aimed at children and items containing cannabinoids will be banned after a seven-month sell-off period. All e-cigarettes must display clear nicotine content, health warnings, and an age restriction symbol. Authorities aim to reduce youth exposure to nicotine, which can harm brain development, and make products safer and less attractive to minors.

The School of Transnational Governance (STG) at the European University Institute in Florence will inaugurate a hall named after former Czech president Václav Havel on Nov. 17, marking the 36th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. The decision, supported by nearly 300 members of the academic community, highlights Havel’s commitment to truth, freedom, and dialogue as guiding values for students.

Prague 1 has removed a bronze sculpture by Anna Chromy that stood for more than 20 years in front of the Estates Theatre, citing misuse by the public. What do you think of the removal?