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“The government of ANO, SPD, and the Motorists will do its utmost to ensure that Czechia prospers and that citizens have a better life,” Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) said after Monday’s first meeting of the newly appointed cabinet. According to him, the cabinet does not need a 100-day grace period, because it spent four years preparing to govern while in opposition and was specific about what it would do. Its evaluation will come in the next elections to the Chamber of Deputies, Babiš said. The ministers will meet again on Tuesday to deal with the regular agenda; according to Babiš, the meeting will be a long one.

Petr Macinka, leader of the Motorists’ party and new foreign minister, has voiced support for relocating the Czech embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Speaking at a gathering in Prague’s Palach Square marking the start of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, he said the embassy should have been moved long ago. The event also recalled a recent deadly attack in Australia, with speakers stressing that terrorism must not be given in to. Macinka said Czechia should express stronger solidarity with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. Outgoing prime minister Petr Fiala has previously said such a move could be reasonable but must not be rushed, while Senate foreign affairs committee chair Pavel Fischer has warned it lacks backing in international law.

Czech guard Vít Krejčí scored 19 points to help the Atlanta Hawks to a 120–117 win over Philadelphia in the NBA. The Strakonice native did most of his damage in the first half, pouring in 16 points, and finished with four three-pointers, four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 26 minutes on the court. Krejčí sparked Atlanta in the opening quarter with an eight-point burst that helped build a double-digit lead. He added five points in the second quarter and hit a key three late in the third. Atlanta are eighth in the Eastern Conference, just behind Philadelphia, whom they have now beaten seven times in a row.

President Petr Pavel appoints a new Czech government on Monday, led by ANO party leader Andrej Babiš and made up of ministers from ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the Motorists' parties. The cabinet replaces the outgoing government of Petr Fiala and marks Andrej Babiš’s return to power almost four years after leaving office. ANO will hold eight ministerial posts in addition to the prime ministership, SPD will have three ministers and the Motorists four. The coalition controls a majority of 108 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and plans to seek a confidence vote in January. The government will initially take office without a full line-up, as Motorists’ nominee Filip Turek is absent due to health issues and ongoing controversy.