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Layoffs and plant closures may be looming in the Czech chemical and ceramics industries as soaring energy prices squeeze companies. A study by consultancy EGU suggests that energy costs for Czech businesses rank among the highest in Europe. ANO deputy chairman and likely future minister of industry Karel Havlíček has pledged that the incoming government will step in. The first planned measure is to relieve companies and households of payments supporting renewable energy, shifting the burden to the state budget at a cost of 17 billion crowns a year. Havlíček also wants to bring down the regulated portion of electricity prices, which he says accounts for more than half of what consumers ultimately pay.

Czechia is facing a complaint before the Council of Europe’s Committee of Social Rights over inadequate care for people with disabilities. The international organization Autism-Europe, which advocates for people with autism and their families, has lodged the submission, the Ombudsman’s Office announced. The organization criticizes the shortage of community-based social services for people with disabilities—particularly for those with autism, intellectual disabilities or behavior that requires intensive support. The complaint also highlights the difficult situation of families who care for their disabled relatives at home.

The chairman of ANO, Andrej Babiš, who was tasked by President Petr Pavel at the end of October with negotiating the formation of a new government, expects to present the president with a list of ministerial candidates no later than November 28. During a debate in Frýdek-Místek, he repeated that he will not publicly discuss solutions to his conflict of interest related to his ownership of the Agrofert conglomerate. He did not want to discuss the conflict of interest either with the citizens he came to thank for their support in the parliamentary elections, or later with journalists.

Representatives of the new ANO–SPD–Motorists coalition have already submitted a proposal under which politicians’ salaries, unlike judges’ salaries, would remain at this year’s level for the next five years. Their amendment was posted on the Chamber of Deputies website today before 3 p.m. The authors want the Chamber to approve it in a fast-track first reading so it can take effect at the beginning of next year. However, at least two clubs from the former governing coalition are expected to block this, which would likely prevent the amendment from being passed by the end of the year.