Tens of thousands of Czechs take to the streets in support of their president
On Sunday, tens of thousands of people gathered on Prague’s main squares to support President Petr Pavel amid his dispute with Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists’ Party) over his refusal to appoint Filip Turek environment minister. The dispute intensified last week after the presidential office released messages sent by Macinka threatening the president with “consequences” for opposing the nomination.
“Long live Pavel!” echoed through Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and surrounding streets, filled by an estimated 90,000 people. The protest, organised by the civic group Milion chvilek pro demokracii (Million Moments for Democracy), condemned the foreign minister’s messages as “outrageous blackmail” and “absolutely unacceptable in a democratic political culture.” Participants carried Czech, European Union, NATO, and Ukrainian flags.
One participant explained his reasons for attending the demonstration, despite the cold weather, to Czech Radio:
“I find the behaviour of the current governing coalition quite outrageous. Even though it is unlikely that this demonstration will lead to immediate change, I think it is important to make our views heard and to show — including to the outside world — that there is a part of society that does not agree with this kind of conduct.”
In addition to condemning Macinka’s messages and calling for his resignation, protesters criticised other policies of the governing coalition, comprised of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO Party, the Freedom and Direct Democracy Party (SPD), and the Motorists’ Party. They opposed the coalition’s plan to abolish licence fees for the country’s public broadcasters Czech Television and Czech Radio, raising concerns that funding media through the government budget – though this is not yet decided – could threaten its independence. Demonstrators also voiced concerns over abolishing the 2015 Civil Service Act and the introduction of a new law, which they fear could politicise the civil service and undermine the independence of state institutions.
Among those attending the demonstration were the leaders of the opposition Civic Democrats (ODS), Mayors and Independents (STAN), Pirate Party, and TOP 09. Speakers included actors Hynek Čermák and Jitka Čvančarová, singer Hana Ulrychová, priest and theologian Marek Orko Vácha, and scientist Daniel Kortus. Actor Hynek Čermák called for mutual dialogue, saying:
“We should not forget that those on the other side of the so-called divide are also people. If we communicate with them and hold on to decency and mutual empathy, we will find that we can come together very quickly.”
In a joint speech, Mikuláš Minář, chair of Milion Chvilek, and Jiří-Jakub Zévl, co-founder of the group, said:
“We are here because our patience has run out. The Motorists’ Party received 380,601 votes in the elections - 6.5%. But they have started to behave as if they run the place.”
Reactions from politicians
Speaking on Czech Television on Sunday, Macinka said he respected people’s right to express their views through demonstrations, but added:
“I also think they should respect the fact that elections took place about four months ago, and that there were simply not enough voters to give victory to the political forces now represented by Petr Pavel.”
Macinka does not consider his text messages to the President’s advisor to be blackmail, and does not plan to apologise or resign.
Speaking on TV Prima, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Alena Schillerová (ANO) also commented on the demonstrations:
“I will avoid doing what the previous government used to do, labelling demonstrators and portraying them as pro-Russian pests. The only exception I would make for criticism is the group behind this, Million Chvilek. To me, they lost all legitimacy by failing to speak out during the past four years when Petr Fiala’s government was in power.”
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) wrote in response to Czech Television that he is glad people can meet and express their opinions. He is scheduled to meet President Pavel for talks at Prague Castle on Wednesday.
President Pavel thanked demonstrators for their support in a post on X, praising Czech society for its ability to stand clearly and decisively for what he described as the right cause.
Demonstrations were also held in eight towns outside Prague, including Hradec Králové, Pardubice, and Zlín. The organisers have announced plans for further protests in two weeks’ time. According to Million Moments for Democracy, over 650,000 people have already signed a petition in support of the president. If the petition reaches one million signatures, they plan to hold a major demonstration at Letná in Prague.
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