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Summary for: Czech news in brief for November 24: Monday's top morning headlines
Snow, ice disrupt Czech transport
1️⃣ Harsh weather disrupts Czech transport as frosty week begins
Czechia faces a frosty week as snowfall and ice disrupt transport nationwide, with heavier totals in mountain areas, ČHMÚ reported. Lowlands saw one to two centimeters overnight, while Šumava reached 10. Up to 15 centimeters may fall in the east Tuesday and 20 Wednesday. Prague experienced major delays as buses to Suchdol stopped and trains between Smíchov and Radotín were halted before 5 a.m. due to frozen switches, resuming around 7 a.m. today.
2️⃣ Coalition to decide on draft state budget today
The emerging coalition of ANO, Freedom and Direct Democracy, and the Motorists will meet Monday morning to agree on next steps for the draft 2026 state budget, ANO Vice-Chair Alena Schillerová said over the weekend. She will present a clear proposal, but first discuss it with partners. The draft, debated in parliament this week, foresees a CZK 286 billion deficit. ANO cites missing statutory and investment expenditures, while the outgoing government calls the budget responsible and legally compliant.
3️⃣ Czech president to meet Polish counterpart
President Petr Pavel will receive Polish head of state Karol Nawrocki at Prague Castle, discussing Russian aggression against Ukraine and cooperation in the EU and NATO. Nawrocki’s visit is his first since taking office and includes meetings with ANO leader Andrej Babiš and a lecture at Charles University on Central Europe. Czech-Polish cooperation, particularly on Ukrainian military training, reflects stable and strengthened relations since the start of the war in Ukraine.
4️⃣ Fall food collection sets new Czech record
This year’s autumn Food Collection (Sbírka potravin) became the largest in Czech history, gathering 774 tons of food—around 1.4 million portions—for people facing difficult life situations. Over one million residents rely on food aid, and 6,032 volunteers helped distribute donations. Czech Federation of Food Banks Chairman Aleš Slavíček thanked donors, partners, and volunteers, emphasizing the country’s solidarity. The collection supports seniors, single parents, families in crisis, and people with health disabilities, fulfilling a vital social mission.
5️⃣ Tethered hot air balloon offers Brno Christmas views
Brno residents can enjoy tethered hot air balloon flights near the Janáček Theatre on weekends until Dec. 20, local authorities confirmed over the weekend. Rising to 30 meters, the balloon carries six people plus a pilot for five-minute rides, mainly reserved for social media contest winners, children from care facilities, and other invited guests. The two-hour operation costs about CZK 40,000, funded by market rents.
📊 POLL OF THE DAY Czechia has delivered on its plans to create and distribute an emergency crisis guide in case of emergency. We asked readers yesterday whether they keep a special bag in case of an emergency. The vast majority (eight in 10) said no. Have your say in our poll.
