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Summary for: Czech news in brief for October 11: Saturday's top morning headlines
ANO, SPD, Motorists agree on 16-member cabinet
POLITICS ANO, SPD, Motorists agree on 16-member cabinet
The new ANO-SPD-Motorists government will have 16 cabinet members, with ANO holding nine seats, SPD three and the Motorists four, the parties announced. ANO will control finance, industry, health, labor, education, interior, regional development and justice; SPD will oversee defense, agriculture and transport; and the Motorists will lead foreign affairs, culture, environment and a new ministry of sport, prevention, and health.
POLITICS Human rights chief resigns amid policy shift
Czech Human Rights Commissioner Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková will resign following the formation of a new coalition of ANO, SPD and the Motorists, citing their opposing stance on protecting vulnerable groups. Appointed by the Spolu government in 2022, she previously led inclusion initiatives and refugee coordination. The new coalition has criticized the state’s inclusion policies, calling them costly and ineffective.
ENVIRONMENT Greenpeace protests Motorist-led environment post
Greenpeace criticized the plan for the Motorists party to lead the Environment Ministry in the new ANO-SPD-Motorists coalition, calling it a “disregard for the public interest.” The group urged President Petr Pavel to appoint a minister committed to nature protection. Greenpeace said likely nominee Petr Macinka represents fossil fuel interests, citing his ties to coal industry donor Pavel Tykač.
EDUCATION Integration of Ukrainians in schools improving
The integration of Ukrainian children in Czech schools has improved after one school year, a National Institute SYRI study found. Researchers examined 266 students in Brno, finding Ukrainian pupils have become more socially connected with Czech peers, though differences remain among individuals. The study emphasized schools’ crucial role in fostering social adaptation and intercultural understanding.
WILDLIFE Prague Zoo releases bison to restore forest
Prague Zoo has released European bison into a 10-hectare enclosure in Dolní Počernice to aid forest restoration and species recovery. The herd includes a breeding bull and three females, with a Belgian three-year-old added Friday and a Finnish male joining today. The CZK 21-million project features natural vegetation, a pond, and facilities for animal care, with the Academy of Sciences monitoring ecosystem development and biodiversity impacts.
