News

President Petr Pavel continues talks with ministerial nominees for the planned ANO, Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and Motorists’ party government. This morning, Motorists’ nominee for culture minister Oto Klempíř arrived at Prague Castle; he will be followed by proposed sport, prevention and health minister Boris Šťastný. The most anticipated meeting will not take place, as controversial environment-minister nominee Filip Turek cancelled for health reasons. He says old back problems have returned, and party colleagues cite a herniated disc. Pavel has strong reservations about his appointment, pointing to racist and homophobic posts, disputed property disclosures and past threatening behaviour. The Motorists’ party still backs Turek.

Czech industrial production grew by 1.1 percent year-on-year in October, accelerating from a revised 0.8 percent in September. New orders also exceeded last year’s levels. However, output slipped by 0.1 percent compared to September, according to data published by the Czech Statistical Office. Growth was driven mainly by metalworking, machinery, and rubber and plastics manufacturing. Basic metals and foundries also expanded, while motor vehicle production dropped by 6.5 percent and mining by 14 percent. New orders rose nearly 3 percent year-on-year, fuelled chiefly by major long-term foreign contracts for other transport equipment. Employment in industry continued to decline, with the average number of workers down 1.4 percent.

Police early on Monday secured a house in Ostrava’s former miners’ colony Bedřiška scheduled for demolition. For days, activists had occupied its roof despite freezing weather to block the work, a protest that drew national attention. Demolition of the last house in the current phase has now begun. Opponents argue the colony is a rare example of successful community rebuilding and appealed for help to President Petr Pavel and the human rights commissioner. Local officials insist the structures are beyond their lifespan and too costly to repair, while residents say the Finnish-style houses could still be saved.

The Office of the President announced on Sunday that the Motorists’ nominee for Environment Minister, Filip Turek, will not attend Monday’s meeting with President Petr Pavel due to health issues. The chairman of the Motorists, Petr Macinka, told CNN Prima News that Turek is suffering from spinal injury (slipped disc).

As a result, on Monday President Pavel will receive only two of the original three ministerial candidates at the Prague Castle: Oto Klempíř, the candidate for Minister of Culture, and Boris Šťastný, the nominee for Minister of Sport. Both candidates were nominated by the Motorists.