On Saturday, people gathered on Prague’s Letná Plain for the largest anti-government demonstration since 2019. According to organisers from the civic association Milion chvilek pro demokracii (Million Moments for Democracy), around 250,000 participants attended.
The rally featured both Czech and European flags. Participants travelled from across the country, with organised transport bringing supporters from the regions.
Mikuláš Minář, the association’s chairman, said the packed Letná Plain sent a clear signal of dissatisfaction with the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. He also called for the defence of independent media and greater involvement of young people in politics.
A number of prominent Czech figures addressed the crowd. The actor Zdeněk Svěrák warned against attempts to bring public media under state control. ‘Nationalising radio and television is no small thing, but an audacity,’ he said. Actor Ivan Trojan criticised cuts in defence spending at a time of rising tensions with Russia and warned of the influence of populist and extremist parties within the government.
Among those present were the sisters Aňa and Ester Geislerová, First Lady Eva Pavlová, the naturalist Ladislav Miko and the businessman Dalibor Dědek, who referred to the historical experience of the Soviet occupation. The singer Aneta Langerová also performed, singing the song ‘Prayer for Marta’.
Opposition politicians including Martin Kupka (ODS) and Zdeněk Hřib of the Czech Pirate Party also attended. Organisers warned that the Czech Republic could follow the path of Hungary or Slovakia in terms of the rule of law.
Babiš returned to power in December after four years in opposition. His government has faced criticism over changes to the budget, the media landscape and its approach to non-governmental organisations.
(reuters, idnes.cz, lud)