Prague Rally Draws Thousands, Warns Against Extremist Threat to Czech Democracy

Mass Gathering in Old Town Square

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, an estimated 10,000 people convened in Prague's Old Town Square for a rally organized by the civic initiative Million Moments for Democracy. The demonstration served as a stark warning against the perceived threat that populist and extremist political parties pose to the future of Czech democracy, particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October 3-4, 2025.

Concerns Over Political Landscape

Speakers at the rally voiced significant concerns regarding the potential influence of several parties, including ANO, SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy), and Stačilo! (Enough!). These parties have been identified by organizers as representing a risk to the country's democratic direction. Participants displayed Czech, EU, and Ukrainian flags, alongside banners conveying messages such as 'We don't want Russia here,' underscoring a strong pro-Western and anti-Russian sentiment. The rally highlighted the importance of defending independent media and the judiciary against potential erosion.

Key Messages from Speakers

A range of public figures addressed the crowd, emphasizing the critical juncture facing the Czech Republic:

• Lyricist Tomáš Dvořák stated, 'Our country is flourishing, but our democracy is not,' stressing that freedom should not be taken for granted.
• Priest and author Marek Vácha invoked the national patron, St. Wenceslas, urging citizens to 'decide between good and evil' and 'choose good.'
• Former senator Martin Mejstřík called for a ban on Russian disinformation channels and the prosecution of those disseminating Russian propaganda.
• Government's human rights commissioner Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková warned against believing that 'communists and extremists have good intentions for our country,' asserting that such parties aim to pull the Czech Republic into 'the hands of totalitarian Russia.'
• Actor Jan Hrušínský encouraged voters to support EU and NATO values and to avoid parties he characterized as 'friends of Russia.'

Call to Action Ahead of Elections

The rally is part of Million Moments for Democracy's broader campaign, 'Dese(t) k volbam' (Ten to the elections), which encourages citizens to engage in discussions about the importance of voting. Organizers aim to mobilize voters to support pro-Western parties in the upcoming elections, particularly as recent opinion polls indicate a lead for the ANO party. The event underscored a collective resolve to safeguard the democratic principles and pro-European orientation of the Czech Republic.