Czech news in brief for November 14: Friday's top morning headlines

Pressure is mounting on incoming PM Andrej Babiš to clarify how he will resolve his Agrofert-related conflict of interest before appointment by President Pavel. Babiš says he will reveal the solution publicly at the president’s request but will not sell the holding. Coalition partners consider his assurances legally sufficient. The Presidential Office cited a 2020 Constitutional Court ruling, warning that insufficient transparency could create an unconstitutional situation and risk future EU funding.

Major closures across central Prague will disrupt regular commuting as the capital marks the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution on Nov. 17, the City of Prague said in a press release. Národní Street will be closed to all traffic, multiple tram lines will be rerouted, and Metro C will be shut between Hlavní nádraží and Pražského povstání from Nov. 15–17. Travellers should follow official DPP updates and allow extra time throughout the busy holiday Monday.

Ski pass prices in Czech mountain resorts will increase by 2–3 percent this winter, with one-day passes ranging from CZK 750 to 1,000, says the Association of Mountain Resorts. Resorts invested approximately CZK 850 million in new technology, snowmaking systems, and cable cars to mitigate the effects of weather fluctuations. While online purchases can save 20–30 percent, operators say rising costs reflect competition with the Alps and efforts to modernize services across more than 100 resorts nationwide.

Financier Pavel Tykač is finalizing a deal to acquire a controlling stake in the Mafra media house, owner of MF Dnes, Metro, and Impuls radio, Seznam Zprávy reports. The transaction follows previous ownership by Karel Pražák and is reported to be valued at around CZK 10 billion. Tykač, who recently bought football club Slavia, has long sought media influence. The acquisition will be announced publicly once finalized.

Despite future government plans to remove Ukrainian flags from public buildings, the National Gallery, National Library, and National Technical Museum say they will keep them, reports Novinky.cz. The flags symbolize support for Ukraine, democracy, and European values. Some sites, like the Lidice Memorial, have stopped displaying flags due to repeated vandalism, while others have removed them ahead of elections. Directors appointed by the Culture Ministry will decide on their continued display.