Czech news in brief for October 20: Monday's top morning headlines

ANO movement chairman Andrej Babiš announced a vacation next week, leaving coalition negotiations with the Motorists and SPD to vice chairs Karel Havlíček and Alena Schillerová. Meanwhile, Babiš criticized outgoing Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský for a taxpayer-funded U.S. trip. Lipavský defended the embassy project in Washington. Future cabinet posts include nine for ANO, three for SPD, and four for the Motorists, with policy talks ongoing.

Prague and other regions experienced a freezing morning, with temperatures dropping below zero at most stations. Roklanská Slať in Šumava recorded –10°C, while Černá v Pošumaví hit –7.1°C. Seventeen of 171 long-term meteorological stations broke records for Oct. 19. Meteorologists predict warming in the coming days, with temperatures rising to 16–18°C outside mountainous areas by Thursday.

ČEZ is introducing a new tariff allowing customers with continuous electricity meters to shift consumption to cheaper hours, potentially saving up to 50 percent on some hours. Average savings during testing were around 10 percent. The tariff divides the day into four price bands, with information provided months in advance. E.ON plans to offer similar technology-driven products soon.

Ticket sellers report Czechs favor Spain’s Malaga and Barcelona for autumn trips, with growing interest in exotic destinations like Bali, Thailand, and Vietnam. Popular short-haul destinations include Rome, Catania, and London. Airlines such as Smartwings are adding flights to cities including Paris and Porto. Average ticket prices are near pre-COVID levels, though some long-haul flights are slightly cheaper year-on-year.

The Czech Republic will serve as next year’s guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair, marking the start of the Year of Czech Culture. A glass scroll from Bohumil Hrabal symbolized the handover. Up to 80 Czech writers will be presented across German-speaking countries. Organizers aim to boost interest in Czech literature abroad and showcase the country as a cultural and creative hub.