Czech news in brief for October 27: Monday's top afternoon headlines

President Petr Pavel entrusted ANO leader Andrej Babiš with negotiating a coalition government including ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, and the Motorists. Babiš aims to finalize it by mid-December. He will submit the coalition agreement and policy priorities later this week. Pavel emphasized that the government must uphold democratic principles. Cabinet candidates have not been officially presented, and Babiš confirmed he will publicly address his conflict of interest before potentially becoming prime minister.

Prague has reported 939 hepatitis A cases this year, including 166 children—about 25 times more than last year, with 11 deaths. Cases account for roughly 40 percent of nationwide infections. Authorities urge strict hand hygiene and vaccination, but demand has nearly doubled, causing local shortages. Symptoms range from flu-like illness to jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, and skin itching, with severe risks for people with liver conditions.

Parents in the Czech Republic face significant financial strain during the roughly 65 days their children are off school annually. Autumn holidays began today, and schools may extend them until the week’s end via principal’s leave. Parents usually have 20–25 leave days. Professional childcare costs CZK 189 per hour nationwide, up to CZK 239 in Prague, while suburban camps range from CZK 990–3,000. Unlike Germany, Czech parents cannot deduct childcare costs, leaving families to cover expenses entirely.

A passenger train derailed at a level crossing in Hudčice near the town of Příbram before 2 p.m. this afternoon after colliding with a lorry. Six people, including the engine driver and lorry driver, were injured; one was airlifted to a hospital in Pilsen. Twenty passengers were on board, all evacuated. The exact cause of the derailment is still unclear. "The [lorry] driver underwent a breathalyzer test for alcohol, which was negative," a police spokesman added.

The Czech-Israeli Joint Chamber of Commerce (CISOK) has requested the Czech Conference of Rectors take a clear stance on anti-Semitic expressions observed at some Czech universities during the commemoration of the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. Palestinian flags appeared on some campuses, with calls to end cooperation with Israeli institutions. CISOK warned that some authorities may have allowed or condoned these actions.

A new study has crowned Czechia as one of the best countries globally for remote workers and digital nomads.