Czech news in brief for September 5: Friday's top headlines

Almost 11,000 Czechs living abroad have requested documents to vote by mail in the Oct. 3–4 parliamentary elections, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský told Czech media today. Out of 27,500 voters registered on special lists to vote outside Czechia, the remainder are expected to vote in person at embassies. Lipavský called the turnout “a great success,” noting it represents nearly 40 percent of registered expat voters. The Foreign Ministry estimates that between 400,000 and 600,000 Czech citizens live abroad.

The Gradual of Louka, a rare 1499 illuminated manuscript, will go on display Monday at Olomouc’s Red Church, library director Iveta Ťulpíková said Friday. Considered a peak of Central European book painting, it will be shown until Sept. 14 as part of European Heritage Days. Czechia’s program includes choral singing from the manuscript, guided tours, and creative workshops such as quill pen writing. The manuscript will be the main highlight of the city’s Heritage Days events on Sept. 13-14.

A Berlin court gave a six-month suspended sentence to a 35-year-old man caught with 200 kilograms of illegal fireworks before last New Year’s Eve, German news agency DPA reported Friday. Police found the stash Dec. 18 in his Spandau (to the west of Berlin) apartment after a tip. The man told the court he bought the fireworks in Czechia for CZK 12,200. “One cigarette butt would have blown up the whole house,” the judge said. German authorities often warn residents against buying fireworks at border markets and other locations in Czechia.

RegioJet will operate five Czech express train lines from December 2029 under a 15-year, CZK 11.63 billion contract, the Ministry of Transport announced. Lines include Pardubice–Liberec, Liberec–Ústí nad Labem, Kolín–Rumburk, and Prague–Tanvald/Rumburk. The carrier, offering the lowest bid, will run new Škoda trains on electrified sections, replacing most routes currently operated by Arriva. RegioJet is expected to cover 4.5 million kilometers annually, with daily compensation exceeding CZK 2 million.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, today to discuss phasing out Russian oil, Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarak said. “Ukraine can offer Slovakia other solutions,” Andarak told Reuters, citing fuel transport infrastructure beyond Russia. The talks could affect Czechia, which relies on Slovak pipelines for some energy supplies. Fico has long faced criticism in parts of Czechia for repeating Russian propaganda.

Only 5 percent of LGBT people in Czechia believe politicians ensure equal rights, a survey presented by Queer Geography showed Wednesday. Respondents expressed greatest trust in NGOs (83 percent), the European Court of Human Rights (70 percent) and the EU (60 percent). Domestically, 45 percent trust the Constitutional Court, while fewer trust the Ombudsman, courts or police. Just one in 20 said the government or parliament effectively supports equal rights for all.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) warned Thursday that ANO’s newly unveiled election program confirms fears of a post-election alliance with the far-right SPD and Communist-led Enough! movement. He said ANO’s promises, including a referendum law and state-funded public media, mirror extremist agendas and would drive up debt and inflation. Coalition leaders accused ANO of pandering and offering costly pledges, while Andrej Babiš defended them as affordable.

Several hundred people dressed in white marched through central Prague on Thursday to honor children killed in Israel and Palestine. The event began with prayers at St. Salvator evangelical church before a silent procession to Old Town Square and the Catholic church of St. Salvator. Participants carried photos of victims but no banners. Priest Tomáš Halík said the gathering was to mourn, not to judge or call for revenge.

About one-third of Czech adults did volunteer work and half donated money last year, according to a STEM survey. Volunteers contributed labor worth an estimated 34 billion crowns ($1.62 billion), while donations totaled about 20 billion crowns. Half of respondents saw volunteering as a natural part of society, but others cited lack of time, health problems, or belief that state services should reduce the need for volunteers.

Czechia will present a glass-and-metal installation called Herbarium to the United Nations headquarters during the General Assembly this month, the Foreign Ministry said. Created by Czech glassmaker Lasvit, the artwork combines crystal and plant impressions to highlight the country’s artistic tradition. Most UN member states have contributed gifts to the building. The UN Arts Committee approved Herbarium for its cultural value and relevance to UN goals.