Czech leaders pay respects at Národní Street memorial

To honour the memory of those who took part in the events of November 1989, Czech political leaders have been laying wreaths at the memorial on Národní Street, including President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The prime minister walked from Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square), accompanied by Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová and supporters of the SPOLU coalition. Andrej Babiš, leader of the opposition ANO party, arrived after midday.

The political leaders have been met with mixed reactions on Národní, with applause from some and shouts and whistles from others. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan, also in attendance, commented that freedom includes the right to criticise and shout at politicians, and that Czechs must continue to fight for that freedom. PM Fiala stated that freedom "is not for free".