US EditionTens of thousands of protesters rally in Prague against new government of Czech prime minister Babiš
Organizers estimated 200,000 protesters rallied to oppose Babiš's government policies including media control, defense cuts, and legal immunity protection, citing concerns over democratic decline.
- On March 21, 2026, tens of thousands filled Letná plain, Prague, in the largest anti-government protest since 2019, targeting Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's new coalition government.
- Organizers said the rally followed parliament's refusal to lift Babiš's immunity in a $2 million EU-subsidy fraud case and concerns about a proposed 'foreign agents' law and media funding changes.
- Organizers estimated the crowd at about 200,000–250,000, though those figures remain unverified, with protesters arriving hours early, waving Czech and EU flags and displaying banners reading 'Let's defend democracy'.
- Organizers warned that follow-up demonstrations are planned soon, amplifying pressure on debates over public media funding, defence spending, and the country's EU relations.
- Critics say Babiš’s alignment with Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico signals an illiberal shift, with organizers warning of a possible Slovakia or Hungary trajectory after the February 1 protest of about 90,000.
114 Articles
114 Articles
People from all over the Czech Republic gathered for a mass demonstration for democracy. They are united in the rejection of the right-wing populist and EU-sceptic course of their government.
Tens of thousands rally in Prague to protest new PM Andrej Babis
Tens of thousands of people protested in Prague on Saturday against the policies and plans of the new Czech government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis. The protesters from across the Czech Republic attended the peaceful demonstration at Letná park, the scene of huge gatherings in 1989 that greatly contributed to the fall of communism.
More than 200,000 Czechs gathered in a massive demonstration at Letná Park, the historic site of the overthrow of communism, to protest against the coalition government of billionaire Andrej Babic, citing it as a threat to democracy.
Czechs are protesting cuts in defense spending under Prime Minister Andrej Babis, and they are worried that his government will go after the public media.
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