Milion chvilek rallies in Prague urging voters to reject populists and extremists

Milion chvilek announced a protest in Prague’s Old Town Square, urging voters not to support populist or extremist candidates in the Senate and local elections. The group previously released a declaration inviting Senate candidates to commit to fundamental democratic principles, including constitutional respect and adherence to the Czech Republic’s commitments to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Mikuláš Minář, the association’s chairman, linked the rally to the values of former President Václav Havel and warned against backing the ANO movement led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The organization has staged several events this year, notably a March gathering at Letná that attracted at least a quarter of a million participants, as well as earlier meetings supporting President Petr Pavel and public broadcasters. One outlet demonstration seeks to mobilize citizens ahead of the upcoming votes.