Daily news summary

Czech politicians congratulate Volodymyr Zelensky on his victory in Ukraine’s presidential elections

Czech politicians have congratulated Volodymyr Zelensky on his victory in Ukraine’s presidential elections. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš wished him patience and strength saying he would lead the country at an immensely difficult time. Czech

Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček wrote on Twitter that Zelensky’s decisive victory showed the strength of civil society. He said Ukraine had made considerable progress on the road to democratic reforms and expressed the hope that Ukraine’s future president would continue in this effort.

Czech politicians offer condolences and aid to Sri Lanka

Czech politicians have joined in the widespread international condemnation of the tragic Easter attacks in Sri Lanka.

President Miloš Zeman called the attacks “monstrous”, offering heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and injured. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš likewise expressed shock over the news saying an attack against believers who had come together to celebrate Easter Sunday was “unbelievable” and “unacceptable”.

Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček said he was appalled by the tragedy and stressed that the Czech government was ready to help in whatever way possible. Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček also condemned the attacks, offering condolences to the families of the victims and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

According to local police sources the number of people killed in the attacks has now reached 290 with at least 500 people injured.

The Czech Foreign Ministry said it had no news so far indicating that Czech nationals may have been among those killed or injured. It said any Czechs in need on the island should turn to the Czech Embassy in Delhi for help.

Czech MP suffers racial attack

The police are investigating a racial attack against lower house deputy Dominik Feri in Moravia on Sunday.

The incident happened in the town of Borsice where Feri was attending a cultural event. He was attacked on the streets of the town by two men who knifed and punched him yelling that „niggers had no place in politics“.

Feri was treated at the local hospital and is said to be recovering.

Politicians across the political spectrum have condemned the attack. Dominik Feri, who has Ethiopian roots, is an MP for the centre-right TOP 09 party.

Interior Ministry to focus on hate speech on social networks and sites spreading fake news

The Interior Ministry wants to focus on hate speech on social networks and sites spreading fake news, according to its 2018 report on extremism and priorities outlined for the future.

The ministry says verbal expressions of racism and xenophobia are concentrated around sites featuring fake news, conspiracy theories and disinformation.

It wants to launch a counter-offensive in the form of a campaign based on reliable information on migration and integration of foreign nationals in Czech society.

Foreign gallery heads stand up for Jiří Fajt

The heads of twelve foreign museums and galleries have written an open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš expressing shock and dismay at the sacking of the head of the Prague National Gallery Jiří Fajt.

The heads of national galleries and cultural institutions in Europe and the US say that Fajt was instrumental in boosting cooperation among art institutions and raised the prestige of the National Galley in Prague.

They say his work has served as an inspiration for galleries elsewhere in the world. Fajt was sacked by the Czech culture minister last week following an in-depth audit at the gallery.

Hockey coach Luděk Bukač dies at 83

Czech hockey coach Luděk Bukač has died at the age of 83.

He led the national team to victory in the 1985 and 1996 world championships in Prague and Vienna and helped the team to a silver medal in the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo.

The president of the Czech Hockey Association Tomáš Král highlighted Bukač’s contribution to Czech hockey, saying the country had lost a great hockey coach and a great man.

Weather forecast

Tuesday should be partly cloudy to overcast with rain in the eastern parts of the country and day temperatures between 13 and 17 degrees Celsius.