Czech news in brief for October 20: Sunday's top headlines

Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO party, ruled out a potential coalition with ODS after the upcoming elections, instead aiming for ANO to secure enough votes to govern independently with the tolerance of another party. In a CNN Prima News interview, Babiš emphasized his focus on maximizing support, aiming for 2.4 million votes. He also promised economic reforms, including addressing tax evasion and securing funds for pensions.

Pražské služby, responsible for waste collection in most of Prague, was hit by a cyberattack on Thursday, causing system disruptions. Despite this, waste collection and other city services remain largely unaffected. The company is working to resolve the issue and has reported the incident to authorities. Temporary contact information has been provided for any issues.

According to the latest STEM poll, the opposition party ANO would win parliamentary elections with 32.1 percent of the vote. ODS trails in second place with 14.2 percent, while STAN comes in third with 10.6 percent, followed by SPD and the Pirates. The Communist Party (KSČM) could also return to the Chamber of Deputies, exceeding the five percent threshold. TOP 09 and the Christian Democrats would not make it into the Chamber.

South Bohemian firefighters responded to a house fire in Čimelice, near Písek, early this the morning. The fire reportedly originated in the boiler room, producing significant smoke. Fire crews, equipped with breathing apparatus due to heavy smoke, were seen removing firewood from the affected area. The operation began around 5:30 a.m., with firefighters from Písek, Čimelice, and Mirovice on the scene.

Czech railway operators transported approximately 92.1 million passengers in the first half of 2024, a nearly four percent increase year-on-year. National carrier Czech Railways accounted for 81.6 million of those travelers, marking a 3.2 percent rise. Improved service and new trains have driven demand, particularly on international routes. The trend is expected to continue with ongoing investments in regional and long-distance rail services.

At its congress in Olomouc, Christian Democrat (KDU-ČSL) delegates supported continuing with the SPOLU coalition for the 2025 parliamentary elections. Party chairman Marek Výborný received approval to sign a memorandum with coalition partners Civic Democrats (ODS) and TOP 09, with negotiations set for late October. Výborný emphasized the need to balance coalition and party priorities. The congress also approved a 2024 charter outlining key values like family support, security, and sustainable development.

A heartfelt farewell was held for film director Věra Plívová-Šimková in Semily on Saturday, following her passing at age 90. Attendees filled the church, recalling her significant contributions to Czech children's cinema. Speakers praised her work, while Semily’s mayor Lena Mlejnková expressed gratitude for her lasting impact on the local community. Plívová-Šimková directed 19 films over her career, leaving a legacy celebrated with a Czech Lion award for her exceptional contributions to filmmaking.

Austrian police located a 59-year-old Slovak murder suspect dead in a Zistersdorf wine cellar near the Slovak border. The man, armed with explosives and weapons, was wanted for the killing of a 65-year-old woman. Authorities believe he detonated an explosive, injuring a special forces officer before his death. Police evacuated nearby homes, and reports indicate the suspect had access to nuclear materials and was under investigation in Czechia.

Czech auto security company Cebia warns that flood-damaged vehicles from Hurricane Milton in Florida may soon enter the European market, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, misrepresented as German used cars. Buyers could unknowingly purchase vehicles that were poorly repaired after being submerged. Many of these cars might have vital safety features replaced with parts from damaged vehicles, leading to potential safety issues and future maintenance costs for buyers.

The final proposal by Pirate Party Minister Michal Šalomoun to amend the Czech Constitution, which includes changes to the powers of the Supreme Audit Office and the president, is unlikely to proceed. With only a year left in the parliamentary term, both government and opposition members expressed skepticism about the feasibility of passing such amendments. The proposal also introduces a sliding mandate for deputies, allowing them to step down in favor of a replacement upon entering government.

Police are investigating a fatal altercation between two men that occurred near Rozvadov on Saturday afternoon. According to spokesperson Ondřej Hodan, the identities of the involved individuals are known, and there is no danger to the public. Emergency services received a report of an attack on a middle-aged man, prompting immediate resuscitation efforts. Despite attempts to revive him, medical staff declared him dead at the scene, and a coroner was called to the site.