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 to form a joint coalition government. The new alliance will hold 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 an absolute majority of 28 votes. However, the negotiations took an unusually long time. ANO was able to choose its partner, which is likely what made the process so difficult. Somewhat surprisingly, ANO and the third-place party, ODS, decided to join forces. The two parties are bitter rivals at the 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—Lepší Sever—even though ODS and ANO already had enough votes between them. ANO’s lead candidate, Richard Brabec, himself emphasized continuity. “Experience was important to me. We have been cooperating with both parties for a long time—at the 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 is now eligible to be elected district governor. It has not yet been decided who will fill the specific positions in the district government. At the district level, the majority of the previous government will thus continue its work, with the exception of Spojenci pro kraj, which failed to win back a seat in 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 verify this figure. There are many indications that there are more wolves. To determine a more precise number, experts are examining images from camera traps and tracks. More wolves could also be born. The so-called “wolf year” runs through April 30.
The wolves arrived from Hohwald in Saxony 12 years ago and have been living in the national park for seven years. Experts identify a total of four wolf territories. The oldest is located at 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 scale back its customer services starting in November. Going forward, 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. That day is a public holiday in Saxony, but a normal working day in the Czech Republic.
Damaged banknotes could also be exchanged at the branch in Ústí. However, this is still possible in the region. Commercial banks are required to exchange these banknotes. However, this does not apply to invalid banknotes. Following the reorganization of the National Bank’s branch network, only branches offering cashier services will remain at the headquarters in Prague, Brno, Ostrava, and Hradec Králové.
Renovation of the Beneš Bridge to Begin Later
The long-awaited renovation of the Beneš Bridge over the Elbe River in Ústí nad Labem has been postponed by another two weeks. The bridge will therefore be closed to road traffic by the end of November at the latest. At the same time, the temporary bridge will be opened to pedestrians and cyclists. All utility lines will also run across 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 suspended for two weeks. This should not affect the completion of the renovation, which is still scheduled for the end of 2026.
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The production of this newsletter is co-financed by tax revenue based on the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament.