News

The second round of Senate elections begins on Friday, with the opposition ANO Party positioned for a potential historic victory. For the first time, ANO secured two Senate seats in the first round and now has 19 candidates in the final stage across 22 districts. In three districts, including Karviná, Vsetín, and Prague 12, senators were already elected last week. While government coalition parties will retain a majority in the 81-seat Senate, ANO is aiming to significantly increase its representation. Voting is open from 2:00 p.m. today until Saturday at 2:00 p.m., with 2.24 million voters eligible to participate. Results will be published Saturday afternoon.

President Petr Pavel met with hundreds of Czech expatriates in Berwyn near Chicago, where he was greeted with traditional costumes and a brass band. The event, held at the Sokol Tábor Hall, marked the highlight of the Czech Heritage Week, running from September 21 to 28 under the patronage of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. In his speech, Pavel thanked the expatriates for keeping Czech traditions alive and emphasized the importance of strong ties between the U.S. and Europe. He also highlighted the upcoming introduction of postal voting for Czechs abroad, beginning next year. The evening included the launch of a book about the life of Eva Haňková, famously photographed with President Masaryk. On Friday, President Pavel will head to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.

Czech President Petr Pavel addressed a full auditorium at the University of Chicago today, speaking about Russian aggression in Ukraine, the importance of NATO, and the role of the Visegrád Group (V4). His speech marked the start of a lecture series honoring the legacy of Václav Havel.

Pavel emphasized the need for European countries to take greater responsibility within NATO, stating, "The United States needs an equal partner." He also highlighted the importance of preventing a Russian victory in Ukraine, calling it a critical issue for the democratic world. Following his lecture, Pavel engaged in a discussion with students, primarily focused on the war in Ukraine. The Czech President's visit continues with meetings with the Czech-American communities in Chicago and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Czech government will offer residents in the flood-affected areas of Jesenicko the option to swap their flood-zone land for state-owned plots in safer locations, according to Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný (Christian Democrats). The government may also buy affected properties to help residents avoid living in fear of future floods. A study by the State Land Office is underway to identify suitable building sites, as 40 homes in the flood zone near the Bělá River are set for demolition. Jeseník mayor Zdeňka Blišťanová agreed that in some areas, it may be more practical to let the Bělá River remain in its new course rather than spend millions trying to return it to its previous path.