PRAGUE — In a powerful display of civic engagement, an estimated 200,000 demonstrators converged on Letná Park in Prague this Saturday, voicing profound concerns about the democratic trajectory under the new coalition government led by billionaire populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The peaceful assembly, organized by the Million Moments for Democracy group, evoked memories of the historic 1989 protests that catalyzed the collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia.
Protesters from across the Czech Republic gathered with national flags and banners bearing messages such as ‘Let’s defend democracy,’ expressing alarm that the current administration threatens to steer the nation toward autocratic governance and away from European unity. Mikuláš Minář, the lead organizer, explicitly stated the demonstration aimed to resist dragging the country onto the path seen in Hungary and Slovakia, nations known for their pro-Russian inclinations and democratic backsliding.
The Babiš government, formed after his ANO movement’s electoral victory in October and subsequent coalition with the anti-migrant Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves group, has initiated significant shifts in both foreign and domestic policy. These include opposition to key EU environmental and migration policies, rejection of financial assistance to Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, and the preparation of legislation critics compare to Russia’s ‘foreign agents’ law. This proposed bill would mandate NGOs and individuals receiving foreign funding for vaguely defined political activities to register or face substantial penalties—a measure critics argue could severely restrict civil liberties.
Further government plans to alter the funding structure of public broadcasters have raised fears of increasing state control over media independence. The protest was galvanized by recent parliamentary decisions, including the rejection of a motion to lift Prime Minister Babiš’s immunity from prosecution in a $2 million EU subsidy fraud case, effectively delaying any potential trial until after his term expires in 2029. Lawmakers also shielded lower house Speaker Tomio Okamura from prosecution on charges of inciting hatred, leading organizers to decry the creation of a two-tier system that privileges political elites.
The rally underscored a deep-seated commitment to democratic values among citizens. Michael Černohlávek, a 19-year-old student attendee, emphasized the need to actively protect hard-won freedoms. With further protests planned, the event signals sustained public resistance to the government’s policy agenda and its perceived erosion of democratic norms.