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According to Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský the time has not yet come to resume intergovernmental consultations with Slovakia. In a debate on TV Prima Mr. Lipavsky said this was a decision that would have to be reached by mutual consent when the time is deemed right. Despite the close relations between the former sister states, there has been a cool in relations in recent months. The cabinet of Prime Minister Petr Fiala suspended intergovernmental consultations with Slovakia in March of this year because of differences of opinion on key foreign policy issues, particularly on the war in Ukraine. Minister Lipavský said that nevertheless relations between the countries are still close, citing his June visit to Bratislava or the joint visits of the Czech and Slovak presidents to Iowa in September.

The leaders of three parties in the TOGETHER (SPOLU) coalition in government –the Civic Democrats, Christian Democrats and TOP09 - have signed a memorandum stating their intention to run together in next year's general elections. The party leaders signed the document in the Mánes building in Prague on Monday October 28, Czechoslovak Independence Day. Prime Minister Fiala, leader of the Civic Democrats, said the parties will be stronger if they remain united and their success will depend on whether they can convince voters that the policies they are pursuing in government are the right ones for the country. Opinion polls indicate that neither the Christian Democrats nor TOP 09 now have enough support to cross the 5% threshold needed to win seats in the Chamber of Deputies.

Czechs are celebrating Czechoslovak Independence Day, marking the 106th anniversary of the establishment of Czechoslovakia on October 28, 1918.  Although Czechoslovakia ceased to exist in 1993, when Czechs and Slovaks parted ways, Czechs continue to view October 28 as the day of their national founding.

The anniversary of the birth of the Czechoslovak Republic is a public holiday, marked by a host of events, including a traditional ceremony at the Vítkov Memorial at which the country’s top officials, church dignitaries and cultural figures lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay homage to those who laid down their lives for the country.

Official wreath-laying ceremonies take place at President Masaryk’s graveside in Lány and his statue on Prague's Hradčany Square, but people also make their way to the hundreds of busts, statues, monuments and plaques dedicated to Czechoslovakia’s co-founder in towns and villages around Czechia to lay flowers and light candles.

A ceremonial change-of-guard at Prague Castle at midday traditionally attracts a crowd of onlookers. Meanwhile, inside Prague Castle the head of state and commander of the armed forces appoints new army generals.

In the afternoon the Czechoslovak Legionary Community is holding a commemorative meeting on Prague's Emauzy Square to honour the memory of the fallen legionaries.

The celebrations traditionally culminate with an award giving ceremony in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle when the president hands out high state distinctions for services to the state. This year President Pavel is expected to honour 56 personalities from all walks of life. The names of the laureates are not revealed in advance.

Monday should be partly cloudy to overcast with day temperatures between 13 and 18 degrees Celsius.