News

According to Boris Šťastný (Motorists), Czech Television and Czech Radio must remain independent media outlets, even though their funding could come from the state instead of license fees to increase transparency. Šťastný, the chairman of the Motorists’ parliamentary group, said this on Czech Television’s program Questions of Václav Moravec. Taťána Malá, chairwoman of the ANO parliamentary group, added that the funding of both public service broadcasters would not be endangered if it were defined as a legally mandated expenditure of the state budget.

Former president Miloš Zeman will not attend the October 28 ceremony at Prague Castle, where state decorations will be presented, due to health reasons. On Saturday, stitches were removed from his back, where doctors at Prague’s Motol Hospital had performed emergency surgery on an abscess last week. He will continue his home recovery until early November. The information was provided to ČTK on behalf of the former president by Luboš Procházka, director of Olympia Publishing House, which publishes Zeman’s books.

On Tuesday, Czechia will commemorate the 107th anniversary of the founding of the independent Czechoslovak Republic. Traditional remembrance ceremonies and public gatherings will take place in Prague and other cities. President Petr Pavel will appoint new generals, and in the evening he will present state decorations at Prague Castle. A total of 48 people will be honored, eight fewer than last year.

Negotiators from the ANO, SPD, and Motorists movements have essentially reached an agreement on the government program of these parties, ANO deputy chairman Karel Havlíček told Czech Television (ČT). According to him, the party leaderships will still discuss the document, which may lead to some partial adjustments. On Monday, ANO chairman Andrej Babiš will present the program to President Petr Pavel.