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Summary for: Czech news in brief for November 4: Tuesday's top morning headlines
Cardinal Dominik Duka, Czech dissident, dies
1️⃣ Cardinal Dominik Duka, Czech dissident, dies
Cardinal Dominik Duka, Prague’s archbishop from 2010 to 2022 and a leading anti-communist dissident, has died at 82. Duka spent 15 years working secretly as a priest under communist rule and was imprisoned alongside Václav Havel. Elevated to cardinal in 2012, he negotiated major church property restitutions but faced criticism for abuse cover-ups and political ties. A requiem mass will be held at St. Vitus Cathedral on Nov. 15.
2️⃣ Only two candidates for Czech Chamber Speaker
Only Tomio Okamura (SPD) and Jan Bartosek (KDU-CSL) will run for Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies in Wednesday’s secret ballot. Okamura is backed by the new ANO-SPD-Motorists coalition, while Bartosek represents the opposition. Four deputy speaker posts are up for grabs, but one may remain vacant. The coalition plans two seats for itself and two for the opposition, excluding the Pirates, and STAN will nominate its candidate later due to ministerial conflicts.
3️⃣ Hepatitis A hits record levels in Czechia
Hepatitis A infections in the Czech Republic have surged to 2,374 cases this year, the highest since 1989. Prague alone reports 1,010 cases, up from 37 last year. Eleven deaths have been recorded. Vaccinations are rising, with 160,000 doses given so far, but some clinics face shortages. The Ministry of Health ensures emergency vaccines are available, while a new campaign urges citizens to vaccinate, emphasizing hand hygiene and awareness of virus hotspots.
4️⃣ Czech manufacturing slumps in October
Czech manufacturing conditions worsened sharply in October, with the PMI falling to 47.2; the fourth consecutive month of decline and the fastest since January. Output, new orders, employment, and inventories all dropped, driven by weak domestic and foreign demand. Business confidence hit its lowest level in 2025. While input price inflation slowed, companies cut prices and jobs amid cooling demand, raising concerns about the sector’s outlook for the coming year.
5️⃣ Czech food drive grows to 2,800 stores
The autumn national Food Collection in Czechia will take place this Saturday, with around 2,800 stores participating, up from 2,250 last year. Donations of food and medicine will also be accepted online for two weeks. Volunteers will help collect non-perishable items, especially for single mothers and vulnerable families. The campaign, running twice yearly since 2019, encourages contributions of staples such as canned goods, pasta, rice, oil, and baby food.
📊 POLL OF THE DAY: Do you have St. Martin’s dinner plans?
Yesterday we asked readers whether they plan to enjoy a traditional St. Martin’s meal on Nov. 11, featuring roast goose, cabbage, dumplings, and more. Most of you, 73 percent, said you won’t be celebrating this year, while 15 percent plan to eat out and 12 percent will prepare a meal at home. Cast your vote here.
