Weekly review 52
18.10.2024
Three-party coalition in the Ústí district
Almost a month after the district elections, the ANO, ODS and Lepší sever (Better North) parties have signed an agreement on a joint coalition government. The new alliance will have a comfortable majority of 37 seats in the 55-member district parliament in Ústí.
The ANO party achieved a fabulous result of just under 40 percent in the elections. This corresponds to 26 seats, meaning that the party only just missed out on an absolute majority of 28 votes. However, the negotiations took an unusually long time. ANO was able to choose its partner. That is probably what made it so difficult. Almost surprisingly, ANO and the third-placed party ODS decided to join forces. The two parties are bitter rivals at national level. ODS is led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, while ANO is led by billionaire and former head of government Andrej Babiš. In Ústí, however, ANO opted for continuity.
In addition, both parties brought a third partner on board with Lepší sever, although ODS and ANO already had enough votes together. ANO lead candidate Richard Brabec himself emphasized continuity. "Experience was important to me. We have been cooperating with both parties for a long time, at district level with the ODS and in Most (Brüx) with Lepší Sever. In the district, it's about concrete issues and concrete people," Brabec told the daily newspaper Mladá fronta Dnes.
The former environment minister can now be elected district governor. It has not yet been decided who will fill the specific posts in the district government. At district level, the majority of the previous government will thus continue its work, with the exception of Spojenci pro kraj, which failed to re-enter parliament.
Bohemian Switzerland reports eight wolf cubs so far
At least eight wolf cubs have been born in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park this year. Experts from the Czech University of Agriculture want to substantiate this claim. There are many indications that there are more wolves. In order to determine a more precise number, experts are examining images from photo traps and tracks. More wolves could also be born. The so-called wolf year runs until April 30.
The wolves came from Hohwald in Saxony 12 years ago and have been living in the national park for seven years. Experts speak of four wolf territories in total. The oldest is located in the western tip of Schluckenau. The second territory is located near Kytlice, the third in the western Lusatian Mountains and the fourth and newest near Rumburk.
National Bank branch in Ústí discontinues cash services
The branch of the Czech National Bank ČNB in Ústí nad Labem will reduce its customer service from November. In future, the branch will no longer operate a cash counter. Anyone wishing to exchange old Czech banknotes will have to travel to the head office in Prague. As part of a restructuring program, the branches in Plzeň and České Budějovice are also discontinuing these services. The cash counter will be open for the last time on October 31. The day is a public holiday in Saxony, but a normal working day in the Czech Republic.
Broken banknotes could also be exchanged at the branch in Ústí. However, this is still possible in the region. Commercial banks are obliged to exchange these banknotes. However, this does not apply to invalid banknotes. Following the reorganization of the National Bank's branch network, only branches with cashier services will remain at the headquarters in Prague, Brno, Ostrava and Hradec Králové.
Renovation of the Beneš Bridge to start later
The long-awaited renovation of the Beneš Bridge over the Elbe in Ústí nad Labem has been postponed by another two weeks. The bridge will therefore be closed to road traffic from the end of November at the latest. At the same time, the temporary bridge will be opened for pedestrians and cyclists. All engineering networks will also run over the temporary bridge. All road traffic will cross the Marienbrücke bridge.
The delay was caused by the flooding of the Elbe in September. As a result, work on the pedestrian bridge had to be interrupted for two weeks. This should not affect the completion of the renovation. This is still planned for the end of 2026.
The production of this newsletter is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament.