Czech political disputes: Schillerová clapping incident and Mračková cash amendment

Finance Minister Alena Schillerová attracted attention at the Karlovy Vary film festival when she was the only audience member who did not applaud director Helena Třeštíková's remarks about public‑media funding. Critics such as ODS MP Martin Kupka highlighted the incident, while former finance minister Miroslav Kalousek questioned the media focus. Schillerová later defended her decision, stating, “Tady ve Varech jsem zažila, jakou to chce odvahu nezatleskat,” and reaffirmed the government's commitment to stable financing for Czech Television.

Senator Jana Mračková Vildumetzová (ANO) sparked controversy in the Senate by pushing a constitutional amendment to enshrine a right to cash payments. After the proposal was rejected, she posted a video declaring herself “opět naštvaná” and criticized opponents for ignoring the needs of seniors and vulnerable citizens. Opponents, including Senator Tomáš Goláň (ODS/TOP 09), argued that existing cash‑payment legislation already guarantees the right and that a constitutional change is unnecessary.