Introduction
Regional Elections in the Czech Republic
On 20th and 21st September 2024, regional elections were held across the Czech Republic. The ANO party, led by former PM Andrej Babiš, won 10 out of the 13 regions, winning a total of 292 regional council seats out of the 685 available.
The election results have caused increased tensions within the government coalition. The Pirate Party, a member of the ruling coalition, suffered major losses, leading to internal conflict and the resignation of its leader, Ivan Bartoš, with 709 out of 894 party members voting in favour of him stepping down. The pirates are now reconsidering their position in the liberal-democratic coalition led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
As the CIVICUS Monitor reported previously, the ANO party lost the elections on 28th November 2021 to a liberal-democratic five-party coalition consisting of the conservative Civic Democrats (ECR), the Christian Democratic KDU-ČSL (EPP), the liberal-conservative TOP 09 (EPP), the liberal-centrist Mayors and Independents (EPP) and the liberal-progressive Czech Pirates (Greens/EFA). Since then, the Czech Republic has shifted towards strong support for the EU and NATO and is positioning itself as a leading ally of Ukraine.
However, ANO’s recent regional success has prompted speculation that a possible national comeback by the party leader could lead to a shift in the country’s foreign policy, given his past disagreements with EU authorities and his ambiguous stance on Ukraine.
Czech Republic to Restore Diplomatic Ties with Russia Amid Tensions
On 15th October 2024, the Czech Republic’s foreign ministry announced that Czechia would restore its ambassador to Russia after several years of strained relations. The tensions stemmed mainly from a 2021 scandal that exposed Russian involvement in explosions at Czech munitions depots in 2014 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Czechia recalled its previous ambassador, Vítězslav Pivoňka, in May 2024. Despite these conflicts, Czech officials insist on maintaining diplomatic representation. Daniel Koštoval will assume the role in early 2025. Key Czech allies, including the U.S., U.K. and Germany, also have ambassadors in Russia.
Freedom of Assembly
Protest in Prague Against Ukrainian AZOV Regiment Sparks Tensions
On 1st August 2024, a protest occurred in Prague against the Ukrainian AZOV regiment, a Ukrainian military unit, which was in the city for a recruitment event at the X10 theatre. Hundreds of demonstrators, primarily supporters of the Communist Party, gathered to express their opposition, citing the regiment's alleged links to neo-Nazism. Tensions escalated when police moved the protesters, claiming a nearby bomb threat. At the same time, the recruitment event continued without interruption.
Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Communist party of Bohemia and Moravia Kateřina Konečná urged Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, member of the Pirate Party, to distance himself from AZOV's actions, emphasising the regiment's neo-Nazi roots. However, Minister Lipavský not only refused to denounce AZOV but also questioned Konečná’s loyalty, asking which country she represented.
Czech Security Forces Unions Cancel Protests Amid Wage Negotiations; Tensions Remain
On 16th September 2024, unions representing Czechia’s security forces planned to hold protests outside the Strakova Academy, the seat of the Czech Government Office, demanding a 10% wage increase. Organised by the Independent Trade Union of the Police of the Czech Republic, the protest was expected to last at least a week, with a possible extension. The unions cited a sharp decline in real income due to rising inflation and stagnant wages, warning that further delays would worsen financial hardships for their members.
Despite timing the protests ahead of regional and Senate elections on 12th–22nd September 2024, the police union called off the demonstration after Interior Minister Vít Rakušan promised a 5% annual salary increase over the next three years. The decision angered the broader union movement. The Union of Security Forces (UBS), representing police, firefighters, customs officers and prison service members, accused the police union of betrayal and condemned its secretive meeting with the minister. UBS members argued that a 5% raise was inadequate and announced plans for their own protest in the coming month to push for the original 10% demand, highlighting ongoing discontent within Czechia’s security forces.
Czech Judicial Employees Begin Nationwide Strike Over Pay Disputes
On 7th October 2024, judicial employees in Czechia launched a three-day nationwide strike after failing to reach an agreement with Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura and Justice Minister Pavel Blažek on 3rd October 2024.
Minister Blažek had pledged to raise the average monthly salary of judiciary workers to CZK 41,000, pointing out that their wages had already increased by CZK 6,000 over the past three years—more than those of other civil servants. However, the unions are demanding a distinct financing structure for judiciary employees, separate from the broader civil service, along with a 15% salary increase and more equitable pay across positions.
The strike disrupted operations at most district and regional courts, with up to 90% of district court employees and 65% of higher court staff participating. Judges, who are legally prohibited from striking, were unaffected, as was the Constitutional Court. As a result, criminal, civil and administrative proceedings were heavily impacted, with many hearings cancelled and court functions closed. Future negotiations between the government and the unions are expected, but no resolution has been reached as yet.
Czech General Practitioners Plan Nationwide Strike Over Insufficient Reimbursement Increase
General practitioners in the Czech Republic planned a two-day nationwide strike on 29th–30th October 2024, protesting the government’s proposed 2.83% reimbursement increase for healthcare in 2025, which fell short of their 3.3% demand.
Organised by the Association of General Practitioners (SPL), the strike aimed to highlight primary care underfunding amid a shortage of general practitioners and pediatricians. Over the past five years, more than 400 offices have shut down, leaving over a million people without access to primary care. Protesters argued that the reimbursement decree disproportionately favours hospitals while failing to address the needs of primary care.
Health Minister Vlastimil Válek acknowledged the issue but warned that meeting the doctors’ demands would significantly increase salary costs, requiring either higher taxes or funding cuts elsewhere. On 21st October, the strike was cancelled after the Ministry of Health agreed to adjust the 2025 reimbursement decree to meet their demands.
Freedom of Expression
Survey Reveals Cautious Attitudes Toward Free Speech in Czech Republic
A survey by the Center for Public Opinion Research (CVVM) found that 71% of Czechs believe they can openly discuss societal issues, though many feel the need for caution. While 44% view freedom of speech positively, 58% say they feel they must be careful with their public statements to avoid trouble with the police, and 52% agree one needs to be careful what they say on social media. Most Czechs support restricting speech only when it promotes hate based on race or religion, but oppose limitations on grounds of national security or protecting democracy. The survey polled 951 respondents between March and June 2024.
Czech Lawmakers Propose Reforms for Public Service Media Funding
On 1st October 2024, Czech lawmakers discussed the government’s proposed amendments to the laws governing Czech Television and Czech Radio aimed at increasing funding independence. The proposed changes included raising broadcasting fees—citizen-funded charges that support public service media—ensuring financial sustainability and independence. These fees had remained unchanged since 2008 for Czech Television and 2005 for Czech Radio. The new model would adjust fees for inflation, creating a more stable funding structure. Minister of Culture Martin Baxa backed the reforms, stressing the importance of objective, politically independent public service media.
However, concerns were expressed about the introduction of a memorandum on the performance of public services, which must be countersigned by the Minister of Culture every five years, which experts from the Network for the Protection of Democracy - who regularly assess and track emerging trends and potential risks to democracy in the Czech Republic - warned could increase political pressure on public media. Requiring the minister’s signature could lead to undue political influence, and the proposal lacked provisions for resolving deadlocks if no agreement is reached.
The nezavisla.media project, an initiative of organisations that aim to reform media regulations to create a more diverse media landscape, spoke out in favour of a comprehensive public consultation and suggested removing the requirement for the minister’s signature from the memorandum in order to further guarantee the independence of the media.
On 31st October 2024 Marek Benda, member of the ODS party, announced that the Czech government will not have time to pass the increase in fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio this year due to opposition resistance. The delay is partly attributed to the crowded legislative agenda, with priorities like pension reform and the state budget taking precedence in the House of Representatives. Benda expects the bill to be passed in the first quarter of next year.
Disinformation Threatens Czech Democracy as Influencers Shift Tactics
In an 8th August 2024 interview, Kristina Šefčíková of the Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI) warned of a growing disinformation threat in Czechia, as anonymous sources give way to public “disinformation influencers”. While Facebook remains a key platform, many “disinformers” are shifting to less regulated sites like Telegram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Efforts to counter disinformation now focus on cutting off financial backing. PSSI alerts advertisers when their ads appear alongside false content, pressuring them to withdraw support. Media literacy initiatives, led mainly by civil society, target youth and seniors, leaving working-age adults largely overlooked. To fill this gap, PSSI is developing engaging, accessible content for a broader audience.