Tens of thousands of people protested in Prague on Saturday against the policies and plans of the new Czech government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
The protesters from across the Czech Republic attended the peaceful demonstration at Letná park, the site of huge gatherings in 1989 that greatly contributed to the fall of communism. Organizers estimated attendance at 200,000 people.
They came to express their concerns that Babiš, a billionaire, and his coalition Cabinet are a threat to democracy, steering the country away from supporting Ukraine and toward an autocratic path.
Babiš returned to power after his ANO movement won big in the country's October election and formed a coalition with two small political groups: the Freedom and Direct Democracy anti-migrant party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive demonstrators and opposition groups argued that Babiš's new government represents a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism. Organizers from the Million Moments for Democracy group framed the protest as a defense of democratic values.
We're here to clearly stand against dragging our country onto the path of Slovakia and Hungary, said Mikuláš Minář, head organizer from the Million Moments for Democracy group, referring to what he called the pro-Russia and autocratic leanings of those two countries.
Protesters waved Czech national flags while displaying banners reading Let's defend democracy. Many expressed alarm at the government's foreign policy direction, particularly Babiš's rejection of financial aid for Ukraine and guarantees for EU loans to the country fighting the Russian invasion.
Critics of the new legislation said the proposed foreign agents law mirrors Russian legislation and could be used to restrict personal freedom. Václav Pačes, the former head of the Academy of Sciences, told the crowd this law can easily be used to restrict personal freedom.
The Million Moments group said recent parliamentary decisions divide the nation into two categories: the ordinary people and the untouchables, referring to the rejection of motions to lift Babiš's immunity from prosecution in a $2 million fraud case involving EU subsidies.
What the Right Is Saying
Babiš and his supporters defended the new government as a legitimate expression of voter choice. The ANO movement's victory in October's parliamentary election gave Babiš a mandate to form a new coalition government.
The prime minister has opposed key European Union policies on environment and migration, positions that align with his campaign promises to protect Czech sovereignty and national interests. His government has emphasized controlling immigration and challenging what it views as overreach by EU institutions.
Babiš joined ranks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in rejecting EU policies on migration and Ukraine support, framing his approach as defending national interests against external pressure.
The coalition government with the Freedom and Direct Democracy party and Motorists for Themselves was formed after democratic elections, and government officials have defended their policy agenda as reflecting the will of Czech voters.
What the Numbers Show
Organizers estimated 200,000 people attended the protest at Letná park. The demonstration marked one of the largest political gatherings in Prague since the 1989 Velvet Revolution that ended communist rule.
Babiš faces a $2 million fraud case involving EU subsidies. The lower house of parliament rejected a motion to lift his immunity from prosecution, meaning he can stand trial only after his term expires in 2029.
The new coalition controls a majority in the Czech parliament. Lawmakers also refused to allow prosecution of lower house Speaker Tomio Okamura, head of the Freedom party, on charges of inciting hatred.
The proposed foreign agents legislation would require nongovernmental organizations and individuals involved in vaguely defined political activity receiving foreign aid to register or face substantial fines. Another plan would change the funding of public radio and television, a move critics say would give the government control of broadcasters.
The Bottom Line
The massive protest demonstrates significant public opposition to Babiš's new government and its policy direction. The demonstration drew participants from across the Czech Republic who are concerned about the government's stance on Ukraine, democratic norms, and media freedom.
The new government has rejected key EU policies and aligned itself with other Central European leaders who have faced accusations of authoritarian tendencies. Critics see the proposed legislation on foreign agents and public broadcasting as threats to civil society and press freedom.
The protest organizers announced that more demonstrations are planned to follow, indicating the political divide in Czech society is likely to intensify. The outcome of Babiš's fraud case, which cannot proceed until 2029 due to parliamentary immunity, remains a point of contention between the government and its opponents.