News

The Czech government has completed the renovation of its historic 1902 building at 1109 Madison Avenue in New York, once home to Czechoslovakia’s mission to the UN. The house will now provide apartments for diplomats from the Consulate General and the Permanent Mission to the UN, saving the state more than 3.5 million crowns a month in rent and hotel costs. It will also serve as an office and representational venue for official events. Outgoing Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský praised the reconstruction, calling the view of the Metropolitan Museum “magnificent.” The building is set to be fully occupied in early 2026.

The government will hand next year’s draft state budget to the Chamber of Deputies once a new speaker is elected, Agriculture Minister and Christian Democrat leader Marek Výborný said on Nova TV. The outgoing cabinet of Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democrats, ODS) had argued that resubmitting the proposal was unnecessary. Výborný added that if the incoming coalition fails to approve the main parameters in the first reading, “there is no point in submitting it.” The previous government’s proposal, now void, envisaged a deficit of 286 billion crowns.

People across Czechia can now support war veterans by buying a symbolic red poppy, a gesture of remembrance traditionally observed on 11 November. The charity campaign by the non-governmental organization Post Bellum starts today, while the Ministry of Defence launched its own initiative at the end of October. This year marks the 11th edition of Post Bellum’s fundraiser, which runs until the end of November. Cloth poppies are available at nearly 2,000 locations nationwide — from cafés and libraries to public offices and shops — and between 7 and 11 November, also from volunteers in the streets. Donations support veterans directly and help preserve their stories through the Memory of Nations project. The Defence Ministry’s campaign offers paper, magnetic, and digital poppies through the website digimak.cz. Proceeds go to the Military Solidarity Fund, aiding veterans and soldiers in need. Remembrance Day events will take place nationwide on 11 November, marking the end of World War I.

The emerging coalition of the ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), and the Motorists’ parties plans to abolish licence fees for public Czech Television and Czech Radio. According to the draft government manifesto obtained by ČTK, their budgets would be subject to audit by the Supreme Audit Office, while maintaining the independence of public media is declared a priority. Experts warn that the plan lacks clarity on alternative funding. Media analyst Filip Rožánek suggested that a Swedish-style model could be considered, while Jan Potůček from Médiář cautioned that political control could threaten editorial independence.