Reading time: 2 minutes 
Summary for: Czech news in brief for November 18: Tuesday's top morning headlines
Thousands protest new government in Prague
1️⃣ Thousands protest new Czech government in Prague
Around 15,000 people joined a demonstration at Prague’s Old Town Square against the emerging ANO-SPD-Motorists coalition. Organized by Million Moments for Democracy, speakers called for political engagement and defending democracy, warning against blackmail and disinformation. Former Prime Minister Petr Pithart urged citizens to join parties, while philosopher Daniel Kroupa and others emphasized civic responsibility. Organizers said they would continue monitoring media independence and politicians’ conflicts of interest.
2️⃣ Ukrainian flags appear at Okamura’s home
Prague police are investigating after Ukrainian flags were displayed on the fence and nearby areas of SPD leader and Chamber Speaker Tomio Okamura’s home. A group calling itself the "Velvet Eyewitnesses" claimed responsibility, citing dissatisfaction with Czech officials. Okamura criticized the act as property destruction. Police say offenders could face up to three years in prison or fines if deemed a misdemeanor.
3️⃣ Fifth bird flu outbreak hits Czech duck farm
Veterinarians confirmed a fifth Czech bird flu outbreak this year at Blatenská ryba’s commercial duck farm in Blatná, South Bohemia. Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný said 2,500 ducks will be culled. The farm previously suffered heavy losses in 2017, including 27,000 ducks and nearly 60,000 hatching eggs. This week alone, four other commercial farms also reported bird flu cases, signaling the infection remains active.
4️⃣ Czech corporate bankruptcies reach seven-year high
In the first ten months of 2025, 633 Czech companies went bankrupt, the highest figure since 2017, up 54 from last year. Courts received 939 insolvency petitions, a six percent rise. Prague recorded the most bankruptcies with 283, followed by South Moravia and Moravian-Silesia, while Pardubice and Karlovy Vary saw the fewest at nine each. Analysts note rising corporate loans and a slight increase in non-performing loans, indicating weakening payment discipline.
5️⃣ Cold week ahead with snow and ice in Czechia
Czech meteorologists forecast a chilly week, with daytime highs around 5 degrees Celsius and nightly frost causing icy conditions. Snow is expected in the mountains, with occasional snow or mixed precipitation at lower altitudes. Up to 10 cm may fall in Krkonoše, Krušné, and Jizerské Mountains. Sunny but cold weather is expected through Thursday, with freezing fog in mornings, before clouds and precipitation increase later in the week.
📊 POLL RESULTS: Last week, Prague 1 authorities removed the Anna Chromy bronze sculpture that stood before the Estates Theatre for over 20 years, citing repeated inappropriate use by visitors. In our readers' poll, an overwhelming amount of people (91 percent) said they disagreed with the statue's removal. Have your say on whether you think it was the correct decision.
