Daily news summary
Opposition want government stripped of right to remove supreme state attorney without giving reason
The TOP 09 and Mayors and Independents parties have proposed that the government be stripped of its right to remove a supreme state attorney without giving a reason, iRozhlas.cz reported. The Czech Pirate Party are preparing their own amendment to that effect and have convened a cross-party discussion of the matter that will be attended by Minister of Justice Marie Benešová, the news site said.
The opposition groupings have made the call following Ms. Benešová’s instalment as minister, which they regard as being connected to the police’s proposal that Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who appointed her, go on trial for EU subsidy fraud.
The third in a sequence of public protests against the change of justice minister is planned for Prague and other cities on Monday evening. The organisers are demanding Ms. Benešová’s removal and guarantees that Pavel Zeman will not be replaced as supreme state attorney.
Bamberg Orchestra, founded by post-war expellees, opens 74th Prague Spring
The 74th edition of the Prague Spring International Music Festival begins at Prague’s Municipal House on Sunday evening. The opening concert will feature the traditional My Country by Bedřich Smetana performed by the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jakub Hrůša.
The orchestra was formed in the Bavarian city in 1946 mainly from German musicians expelled from Czechoslovakia after WWII who had previously been members of the German Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague.
Head of Prague Jewish Community Jan Munk dies at 72
Jan Munk, the chairman of the Prague Jewish Community, has died at the age of 72, his family announced on Sunday. Mr. Munk was also the director of the Terezín Memorial for 27 years, during which time he succeeded in opening a new Museum of the Ghetto and other displays. Members of his own family had been interned at Terezín by the Nazis.
Mr. Munk headed the 1,500-member Prague Jewish Community from 2012.
Prague Castle launches Instagram account
President Miloš Zeman’s office has launched an Instagram account for Prague Castle, the seat of the head of state. The creation of a profile on the popular social networking platform comes on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Office of President and is intended to connect with the younger generation and show the institution behind the scenes, officials said.
The account @hradofficial could inspire young people to visit Prague Castle or take an interest in its history, said Mr. Zeman’s chancellor, Vratislav Mynář. Prague Castle already had YouTube, Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Next month to see below average temperatures in Czech Republic
The relatively cool weather in the Czech Republic for the time of year – with daytime highs of around 10 degrees Celsius – is set to continue until Wednesday, when it will begin to gradually get warmer, the Czech Hydro-Meteorological Institute says in a regular four-week forecast.
However, the next month will see lower than average temperatures for the period in question, though daytime highs will slowly increase. Precipitation should be in line with the seasonal average, the forecasters said.
Czechs beat Norway 7:2 at ice hockey worlds
The Czech Republic’s good start at the World Ice Hockey Championships in Slovakia continued on Saturday night with a 7:2 victory over Norway. Defenseman Filip Hronek and forward Michael Frolík both scored two goals, as well as notching up one assist each.
The Czechs overcame defending champions Sweden 5:2 in Bratislava on Friday’s opening day of the tournament. Their next opponents are Russia on Monday evening.
Weather forecast
Monday should be mainly wet in the Czech Republic, with temperatures of up to 10 degrees Celsius. The following days should see more rainy weather, though daytime highs are expected to gradually rise through the week.
