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The leadership of the Mayors and Independents (STAN) will meet today for the first time since the parliamentary elections to evaluate the party’s performance. STAN won 11.23 percent of the vote, losing a third of its seats compared to 2021. Party leader Vít Rakušan described the result as “not brilliant” but above the 10-percent threshold he had earlier defined as the limit of failure, and said he would not resign.

Rakušan confirmed that STAN will move into opposition and intends to play what he called a “dignified” role there. He also urged the Spolu coalition (ODS, KDU-ČSL, TOP 09) and the Pirates to coordinate opposition efforts. STAN’s 22 newly elected MPs will hold their first caucus meeting on Friday.

The National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) recorded 24 cyber incidents in September,  the highest monthly figure this year, up from 16 in August. Of these, 23 were classified as “less significant” and one as “significant.” None reached the highest severity level. The last “highly significant” incident occurred in July, when a major cyberattack paralyzed Nymburk Hospital.

ANO leader Andrej Babiš said on Wednesday, that if he takes office as prime minister, his government would no longer provide direct budget funding for weapons to Ukraine. He argued that the Czech Republic already contributes 60 billion crowns annually to the EU, which supports Ukraine, adding that Czechia now lacks funds to meet its own needs.  He said he had no problem with Czech companies exporting arms to Ukraine.

Speaking about the Czech ammunition initiative that has supplied artillery shells to Ukraine, Babiš said it was “a good idea in principle,” but should have been carried out directly by NATO member states and in a more transparent way. He claimed that a private entity profited from the initiative by “tens of billions.”

Ukraine received 1.5 million artillery shells through the Czech initiative last year, and 1.1 million so far this year.

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its long-standing warning against travel to the Gaza Strip and other conflict zones, stressing that such advice must be respected. Travelers who knowingly ignore these warnings, the ministry said, should expect that consular assistance will be limited — or, in some cases, impossible.

The statement follows the detention of a Czech citizen aboard an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, who chose to disregard the ministry’s travel warnings. According to the Foreign Ministry, Czech diplomats in Tel Aviv took all necessary steps in line with legal and consular standards once her presence on board was confirmed. They contacted Israeli authorities, conducted a consular visit, explained available legal options, and provided basic assistance.

The ministry criticized flotilla organizers for rejecting offers from several countries to unload aid safely in nearby ports, noting that the volume of supplies was “very small” given the risks involved.

While acknowledging that activism is legitimate in a democracy, the ministry said participants had knowingly burdened consular services already operating under difficult conditions in Israel and potentially delayed help for other citizens.

It reiterated that humanitarian aid must be delivered safely, in coordination with authorities, and through agreed humanitarian channels.