News: Saturday, September 28th, 2024

Opposition ANO party claims victory in Senate elections

The opposition ANO Party has marked a significant victory in the 2024 Senate elections. The party, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, secured eight of the 27 seats available, claiming its first ever win in the elections to the upper house of Czech parliament. Two ANO candidates were successful in the first round, with six more winning in run-offs.

Candidates from the ruling coalition secured victories in 15 districts. The Mayors and Independents emerged as the most successful among the government parties, winning six seats, while the Civic Democrats only defended five of ten seats. The Christian Democrats and TOP 09 Party each won in two districts. Among the newcomers in the Senate will be the anti-government Oath party, whose leader Robert Šlachta won both rounds in the Břeclav region.

Just 17.5 percent of eligible voters chose to vote in the second round of the 2024 Senate elections, after an attendance of 30.82 percent in the first round. It is one of the lowest turnouts since the establishment of the independent Czech Republic.

Babiš: ANO to seek a seat in Senate leadership

The opposition ANO party will seek a seat in the Senate leadership if it secures enough support in the final round of the Senate elections, Andrej Babiš told reporters on Saturday.

Speaking after casting his vote for ANO candidate Helena Válková, who is challenging incumbent Senator Zdeněk Hraba of the Together coalition made up of the Civic Democrats, the Christian Democrats, and TOP 09, Mr Babiš said the party would pursue the role of deputy Senate president if entitled by election results.

Currently, the Senate leadership comprises five members, with the chair held by Miloš Vystrčil of the Civic Democrats. The vice-chairs represent the Mayors and Independents, Christian Democrats, Civic Democrats and TOP09.

President Pavel unveils Prague-inspired astronomical clock in Cedar Rapids

Czech President Petr Pavel and his Slovak counterpart Peter Pellegrini on Friday jointly unveiled a restored clock tower in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, inspired by Prague's Astronomical Clock. They also visited the nearby National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library, which is marking its 50th anniversary this year.

The last occasion when both Czech and Slovak presidents visited the museum together was in 1995, when Václav Havel and Michal Kováč met with then-US President Bill Clinton. This time, the US was represented by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

In his speech President Pavel congratulated the museum on its milestone anniversary, calling the Astronomical Clock a symbol of the enduring cultural ties between the Czech and Slovak nations.

The Buresh Immigration Clock Tower, which features twelve rotating wooden figures by Slovak sculptor Andrej Haršány, honors the Czechs and Slovaks, who immigrated to Iowa in the late 19th century and founded the Czech Village.

Foreign Ministry calls on Czechs to leave Lebanon

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on Czech nationals who are still in Lebanon to leave the country without delay in view of the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Shiite militant group Hezbollah. There are currently 98 Czechs registered in the Drozd travel system in the Middle Eastern country.

The Czech Foreign Ministry advised Czechs to leave Lebanon in October last year after the escalation of tensions following Hamas terrorist attacks on Israeli territory and the Israeli offensive in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

Police to step up security at Jewish sites amid reports of Nasrallah’s killing

Police officers are increasing their presence at the Jewish sites across Czechia following reports of the death of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Shiite militant group Hezbollah. The announcement was made on the social media platform X on Saturday.

Interior Minister Vít Rakušan confirmed that security measures in the country are being heightened in response to developments in the Middle East. He also emphasised that there is information indicating any specific or immediate threat to our country and that the measures are preventive.

The Czech National Centre for Combating Terrorism, Extremism, and Cybercrime is currently assessing potential risks in coordination with intelligence services and international partners.

The Israeli military announced on Saturday it has killed Hezbollah’s leader  in an air attack on Lebanon’s capital Beirut.

Thousands attend mass in Stará Boleslav on St. Wenceslas Day

Several thousand people gathered in the town of Stará Boleslav on Saturday for the annual pilgrimage of St. Wenceslas dedicated to the patron saint of the Czech nation. An open air mass held outside the church where the prince was murdered by dissenters, was celebrated by Prague Archbishop Jan Graubner. Senate President Miloš Vystrčil was also in attendance, as well as other church leaders, politicians, army officials, and ambassadors.

Stará Boleslav is the oldest Czech pilgrimage site associated with the cult of Saint Wenceslas, which was spread throughout Europe by Charles IV. September 28 has been an official state public holiday in Czechia since 2000 and is marked in the calendar as the Day of Czech Statehood. The National St. Wenceslas Pilgrimage was restored by the Roman Catholic Church in 2003.

Tennis: Macháč through to Tokyo quarterfinals, Lehečka and Muchová advance in Beijing

Czech tennis player Tomáš Macháč reached the quarterfinals in Tokyo, after defeating the world number 13 and the fifth seeded American Tommy Paul 2:6, 6:3 and 7:6. Their first match lasted over two and a half hours. The 23-year-old Czech, who has a world ranking of 34, will next face American Alex Michelsen.

Another Czech, Jiří Lehečka reached the quarter-finals in Beijing after his first victory over Roberto Bautista. He beat the Spanish qualifier 3:6, 6:2, 6:1. The Czech world number 37 will next face the winner of the match between the top seed Jannik Sinner of Italy and Russian lucky loser Roman Safiullin.

In women’s singles, Karolina Muchová advanced to the third round of the China Open by beating Chinese Yue Yuan 6-3, 6-1. Muchova, ranked No 49, will play the winner of the match between Romanian Jaqueline Cristian and Barbora Krejčíková next.

Weather

Sunday will be mostly sunny with occasional clouds and day temperatures ranging between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius.