Daily news summary
Sobotka rejects minister Mládek’s resignation after Senate loss
The Social Democrat minister of industry and trade, Jan Mládek, tendered his resignation on Monday after losing a run-off vote to the Senate, informing party leader Bohuslav Sobotka that he was making his cabinet place available. However, Mr. Sobotka immediately rejected the resignation offer. He said that failing to win a Senate seat was no reason to dismiss Mr. Mládek, and that the latter’s work in cabinet was more important. The Social Democrats won just two seats in the second round of voting on 27 of the 81 seats in the upper chamber at the weekend.
Government approves report on president’s attendance of Rhodes conference
The government has approved a report summarizing President Miloš Zeman’s attendance of the Rhodes Forum, organized by Vladimir Yakunin, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, at the end of September. Approval by the cabinet was delayed since last week when several ministers were reportedly absent; human rights minister Jiří Dienstbier, who was critical of the president’s attendance, had requested the visit be discussed at the cabinet level. In his view, President Zeman symbolically cast doubt on the Czech Republic and the EU’s resolve in the face of Russian aggression. Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Bělobrádek said that discussed was whether the president’s trip had been in line with the Czech Republic’s foreign policy. The Office of the President said the journey has cost 300, 000 crowns (around 11,000 euros).
Businessman Daniel Křetinský to gain 94-percent stake in Czech energy group
Czech businessman Daniel Křetinský will gain a 94-percent stake in Czech energy group EPH following deals with Patrik Tkáč and financial partners J&T private equity group, sources including news site idnes.cz reported on Monday. The remaining six percent will be divided among the current management, the news site noted. Until now, Mr Křetinský, Mr Tkáč and J&T were owners of roughly one-third each. The deal, in the coming years, will yield between 1.7 and 2.7 billion euros for Mr Tkáč depending on share prices. Likewise, it was announced on Monday, Czech energy group EPH agreed to sell a 30 percent stake in its EP Infrastructure (EPIF) unit to an investor group led by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.
Deputy prime minister, culture minister, to meet with Dalai Lama
Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Bělobrádek and Culture Minister Daniel Herman are scheduled on Tuesday to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama – in Prague for this year’s Forum 2000 conference, the Czech new agency reports. At the weekend, he met with Slovakia’s President Andrej Kiska which drew protests from Chinese representatives. The Dalia Lama has travelled to Prague on many occasions; he was a personal friend of former president Václav Havel, who died in 2011.
Coalition agreed in Olomouc
ANO, the Social Democrats, and the Civic Democrats signed a coalition agreement in the region of Olomouc and will hold a 30-seat majority in the 55-member regional assembly for the next four years. The ANO party’s Oto Košta will serve as governor. Previously, the region was led by a coalition between the Social Democrats and the Communist Party. Negotiations are still underway in numerous regions following the results of the recent communal elections.
New entrances from Žižkov and Vinohrady to Main Train Station planned
Plans are in place to create new entrances to Prague’s Main Train Station, iDnes.cz reported on Monday. The Railway Infrastructure Administration is going to extend the underpass beneath the station’s platforms so that it joins freshly built walkways to Žižkov and Vinohrady, the news site said. At present some people take a dangerous route across the station’s tracks to reach the two districts, despite warning signs. The new entrances should be in operation from 2018.
Weather Forecast
Tuesday will be cloudy with rain expected in most parts of the Czech Republic. Daytime highs should reach around 13 degrees Celsius. Rainy conditions are forecast to continue throughout the work week, with periods of sunshine but also further cloudy periods and rain expected at the weekend.
