Czech news in brief for October 1: Tuesday's top headlines

The Czech Foreign Ministry has announced that several Czech citizens have been evacuated from Lebanon in recent weeks using Ukrainian and Hungarian planes. The Czech Foreign Ministry is in contact with about 200 Czechs in Lebanon, both those registered in the Drozd system and long-term residents, and is prepared for further evacuations if needed. This comes as Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah intensify, with over 1,000 casualties reported. Czechia is an ally of Israel, which the Foreign Ministry has recently affirmed.

Czech judiciary trade unions have today announced a three-day strike of court employees from Oct. 7 to Oct. 9 over poor pay conditions. About 90 percent of district court staff and 65 percent of higher court staff, excluding the Constitutional Court, have joined the protest. The unions cite underfunding, staff shortages, and excessive workloads as long-standing issues threatening the Czech judiciary’s efficiency. A similar strike occurred on May 29, with 95 percent of judicial employees participating. The average monthly salary of a judicial employee was CZK 36,916 last year.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed illegal migration and Germany's recent policy measures with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in a phone call, according to government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Scholz emphasized that these measures align with EU law and aim to reduce illegal migration. He also offered assistance to the Czech Republic in addressing the aftermath of the September floods. Since mid-September, Germany has expanded border checks, including those with the Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala has announced this afternoon that Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský will remain in his post as an independent politician despite the Pirates party leaving the cabinet this week. Fiala emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity in Czech diplomacy. The leaders of the remaining coalition parties supported Lipavský staying as an independent expert, and Fiala informed President Petr Pavel, who also agreed with this decision.

A woman and her two children were hit by a tram on Prague’s Zenklova Street near the Palmovka stop at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The woman, who suffered multiple injuries, was freed by firefighters, while her three-year-old child sustained bruises. The second child, around five, was unharmed. All were taken to the hospital. Police are investigating the incident.

The Czech President has accepted the proposal to dismiss Ivan Bartoš as Minister for Regional Development, with Vice PM Marian Jurečka entrusted to take over. Bartoš has also been sacked as Deputy PM for Digitization. Two other ministers from the Pirates will resign. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský may remain as an unaffiliated expert. Prime Minister Fiala aims to complete cabinet changes by the end of next week. The Pirate Party voted to withdraw from the government coalition due to Prime Minister Fiala’s breach of the coalition agreement following Bartoš's dismissal.

Prague City Hall will provide CZK 50 million to municipalities in northern Moravia, southern Bohemia, and northern Bohemia affected by the September floods. Ostrava and Jesenik will receive CZK 10 million each, while Bruntál, Opava, and Višňová will each get five million. Additional funds will go to other affected towns. Previously, Prague sent material aid, including drinking water, to the regions.

The price of the year-round highway stamp in the Czech Republic will increase by CZK 140 to 2,440 from January, while prices for shorter periods will also go up. The increase is due to inflation and the expansion of the highway network. The Ministry of Transport announced the change, with exceptions for certain types of vehicles. The last increase in the year-round stamp price occurred in March.

The Czech Crown Jewels were returned to the Crown Chamber in St. Vitus Cathedral after a two-week exhibition in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle. The exhibition, which took place from Sept. 17 to Sept. 30, was visited by over 46,000 people, a record, with some days reserved for school groups. President Petr Pavel has decided to hold the annual exhibition on Sept. 28, St. Wenceslas’ Day.