News

A memorial to U.S. General George S. Patton who commanded the Third United States Army that liberated Plzeň on May 6, 1945 was unveiled in the town on Friday within six days of Freedom Celebrations. Its unveiling was attended by General Patton's grandson George Patton Waters, representatives of the U.S. embassy and local dignitaries. The city’s mayor Martin Zrzavecký expressed regret that for so many decades it had not been possible to give proper thanks and credit to the US army for liberating the town. During communist rule the role of the US army in liberating west Bohemia was played down.

The Czech national team suffered a 6-5 defeat on home ground at the hands of Sweden in the opener of the Ice Hockey World Championship. Although the Swedish team was up 3-1 at the end of the second period, the Czechs rallied to clinch a 5:5 tie by the end of the game. They lost 6:5 following a shootout. On Saturday evening the team will face Latvia, which suffered 6:1 defeat in its opening game with Canada on Friday.

Police in Brno used force and tear gas to disperse a crowd of around 1,500 people who attempted to physically prevent a planned march through the city by the ultra-right Workers Party for Social Justice on Friday. Protesters physical blocked the way of the march booing and shouting “Nazis get out of Brno!” Among those present on the square were city council officials, including the mayor of the Brno-stred district Martin Landa who told the ctk news agency that it had not been possible to prevent the march on the grounds that it was announced as a Labour Day event. The 200-strong march by members and supporters of the Workers Party for Social Justice was partially disrupted but eventually passed through the city. Many of those who attempted to stop them suffered bruises and the effects of tear gas. Hundreds of officers, including police on horseback, were out in force to maintain order.

The ANO party of Finance Minister Andrej Babiš has established a platform for party members under 35 years-of-age, of whom there are presently 120. Mr. Babiš said he expected the party’s younger members to provide creative input and to take an active part in campaigning ahead of next year’s regional elections. Most established parties have platforms for younger members, both to give the party new blood and in order to better address the younger generation of voters.