Daily news summary
Babiš outlines main points of his government’s policy program
Prime minister designate Andrej Babiš says he has drafted an outline of his minority government’s policy program. Babiš told Czech Television the main points were lower income tax, lower VAT on food products, higher pensions, digitalization of state administration and exemptions from the law on electronic cash registers for small entrepreneurs.
Babiš said that after he is appointed prime minister by President Zeman he would start seeking support or tolerance for his minority government across the political spectrum. The president said earlier he would appoint Babiš prime minister on December 6th and appoint his government on December 15th.
PM Sobotka: Czechia wants to host 16+1 talks in Prague next year
Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka praised the 16 +1 talks between representatives of Central and East European countries and China as a good platform for intensifying trade relations and seeking new investment opportunities. Attending the talks in Budapest on Monday, Prime Minister Sobotka said these efforts had already born fruit in Czech-Chinese relations in the form of increased trade, a boost in tourism and four direct air links between Prague and China. The outgoing Czech prime minister said it was Prague’s ambition to host 16+1 talks in Prague next year.
Hundreds attend Novotná’s funeral
Several hundred people attended the funeral of tennis legend Jana Novotná in Brno on Monday. Novotná died last week at the age of 49. Among those present were her colleagues Petra Kvitová, Helena Suková and Jan Kodeš.
The Duchess of Kent, who comforted Novotná after a heartbreaking loss in the Wimbledon final paid tribute to her on her death with the words “Jana Novotna was a brave, courageous sweet lady with a wonderful sense of humour. Wimbledon will not be the same without her."
A third of Czech companies active on social networks
A growing number of Czech companies are aware of the need to have a profile on the Internet and be active on social networks, the ctk news agency reports. The results of a poll indicate that thirty four percent of Czech firms now have a profile on the web, up from 15 percent just three years ago.
Eighty-three percent of firms with ten or more employees present their activities on the Internet which is double the number compared to the year 2,000. Even so Czech companies are still lagging behind other EU member states in this respect. Among the most active are travel agencies, companies engaged in the tourist industry, real estate and media companies.
Czech TV series Wasteland could do well at International Drama Awards in London
Wasteland', an original Czech TV series by HBO Europe, could pick up two prizes at the upcoming C21 International Drama Awards in London.
The TV series has been nominated for two awards : Best Non-English Language Drama Series, and lead actress Zuzana Stivínová won a a nomination for Best Female Performance in a Drama Series – rubbing shoulders with the likes of Emily Watson and Elisabeth Moss.
The winners are selected by a jury of over 100 experts. The results will be announced on November 29 in London.
Zrzavý’s Calvary in Locronan sold for record 17.4 million crowns
Jan Zrzavý’s painting Calvary in Locronan sold for a record 17.4 million crowns in an auction at Kodl Gallery in Prague on Sunday. It is the highest price ever paid for a Zrzavý painting in the Czech Republic. The starting price was six million crowns. Zrzavý’s Fantastic Landscape, an oil on canvas, sold for 14.4 million at an auction last year.
Weather forecast
Tuesday should bring overcast skies with rain or snow showers particularly in the Western parts of the country and day temperatures between 3 and 7 degrees Celsius.
