Czech news in brief for September 28: Sunday's top headlines

Czech authorities are investigating hundreds of fake TikTok accounts suspected of attempting to influence the upcoming general elections. The accounts spread pro-Russian content critical of the EU and NATO and promote parties such as the far-right SPD and leftist Enough! Officials say the accounts appear automated and are interlinked, artificially boosting reach to millions of views per week.

The opposition ANO movement would win 29.3 percent of the vote if elections were held now, according to a new STEM survey for CNN Prima News. The governing Together coalition of ODS, KDU-ČSL and TOP 09 trails with 20.5 percent. SPD follows with 13.4 percent, STAN 11.7 percent, and the Pirates 10.1 percent. Smaller parties Motorists (5.9) and Enough! (5.5) would also pass the 5 percent threshold.

Czech government leaders denounced Russia’s overnight attack on Ukraine, which killed at least four people, including a 12-year-old girl, and damaged civilian infrastructure. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called the strike a threat to European security and pledged to promote the Czech ammunition initiative. Other politicians criticized opposition parties for downplaying Russia’s actions.

Czechia marks Czech Statehood Day on Sunday, Sept. 28, honoring St. Wenceslas, the country’s patron saint. The holiday commemorates his death in 935 and his early canonization around the year 1000, which helped unify the Czech state. Traditional celebrations include pilgrimages, masses, and local festivals, with the National St. Wenceslas Pilgrimage in Stará Boleslav as a central event. Large stores are closed by law, while smaller shops and essential services may operate.

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said Czech-Slovak relations could improve if Czech opposition leader Andrej Babiš returns as prime minister after next week’s elections. Pellegrini said Babiš would likely renew suspended government consultations and strengthen political cooperation. Prague halted the talks last year over disputes on Ukraine aid after Robert Fico’s government stopped state arms supplies.

Brigadier General Roman Hytha, head of the Czech Army’s intelligence support section, was seriously injured Friday after being stabbed by a stranger in a Prague bar, Aktualne.cz reports. Hytha, a key aide to Chief of Staff Karel Řehka, required arm surgery after shielding himself. He said the attack was unprovoked. Police are investigating the incident, which involved two soldiers, according to the General Staff.

Interest rates on Czech savings accounts have remained largely unchanged in recent months, with most banks offering around 3 percent, reflecting the Czech National Bank’s stable key rate of 3.5 percent. Some banks provide up to 4 percent through bonus schemes tied to card payments, regular investments, or account conditions.

A 40-year-old man escaped from Bohnice psychiatric hospital Saturday after 1 p.m. by jumping from a first-floor window, police spokesman Richard Hrdina said. Pavel Čonka, previously convicted for threatening with a knife, was undergoing treatment for substance dependence. He may be dangerous due to his paranoia and impaired reality perception. Police urged the public not to approach him and to call emergency line 158 with sightings.

The Czech government will approve the draft state budget for 2026 at Tuesday’s meeting, the latest possible date before submission to the Chamber of Deputies by the end of September. The Ministry of Finance proposed a CZK 286 billion deficit, with revenues of CZK 2.094 trillion and expenditures of CZK 2.38 trillion. Defense spending and loans for nuclear projects are included. Post-election adjustments may lead to delayed approval.

The Czech men’s volleyball team will play Poland today for the bronze medal at the World Championship, potentially their first medal since 1966. The match starts at 8:30 a.m. CEST in Manila. Italy and Bulgaria will contest the final after Bulgaria defeated the Czechs 3-1 in Saturday’s semifinals. The last Czech victory over Poland came in a 2011 friendly, with recent encounters ending 0-3.

Stanislav Matoušek, owner of Karlovy Vary’s Parkhotel Richmond, died Monday when his six-seater Beechcraft BE 58 Baron crashed into a forest in the Pilsen Region. The aircraft, en route from Příbram to Karlovy Vary, caught fire after impact. Authorities are investigating the incident as negligent manslaughter. Poor weather and limited visibility may have contributed. Wreckage will undergo a detailed technical examination.