Democracy is not forever: President Petr Pavel's warning to Czechia

In his October 28 address marking the anniversary of Czechoslovakia's independence, President Petr Pavel delivered a warning about complacency, political courage and the future of Czech democracy. He called for greater responsibility in national security, public finances, climate preparedness and public debate, arguing that freedom and democracy require constant effort. This special edition of Czechast presents his complete speech in English translation. As a bonus, it features a rare archival interview with legendary Czech-American filmmaker Miloš Forman, who was posthumously awarded the Order of the White Lion, Czechia's highest state decoration, in 2026.