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Quarter-Million Rally in Prague Protests Babiš Government Over Democracy Concerns

The rally voiced alarm over planned media controls seen as a threat to press freedom.

Overview

  • Organizers estimated 200,000–250,000 people filled Prague’s Letná plain on March 21 to denounce Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s three‑party coalition.
  • The protest followed lower‑house votes preserving legal immunity for Babiš in an EU subsidy fraud case and for Speaker Tomio Okamura in an incitement case, delaying prosecutions.
  • Demonstrators opposed proposals to place public service media under direct government control and to enact a “foreign agents” law requiring foreign‑funded groups to register.
  • Critics faulted the 2026 budget for dropping defense spending below NATO’s 2% target and the government’s opposition to aid for Ukraine.
  • Organizers warned of an illiberal drift aligning with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico, and signaled further demonstrations.