Prague is preparing for what organizers say could be one of the city’s largest demonstrations in years. The NGO Million Moments for Democracy has called a rally on Letna Plain for Saturday, saying Czechs must defend democratic institutions — including NGOs — against a rise in illiberal trends across Central Europe.
In a press release the group warned that “the erosion of democracy in the Czech Republic is advancing faster than we thought” and urged citizens not to stand by “while oligarchs and extremists threaten the future of our country.” Letna Plain is a symbolic venue: it was the site of huge anti-Communist protests in November 1989 and drew nearly 300,000 people during 2019 demonstrations against the previous Andrej Babiš government. Organizers hope for a similar turnout this weekend.
The planned mobilization is a response to a draft “foreign agent” law under discussion in parliament. Critics — including NGOs, campaigners and regional watchdogs — say the measures mirror Russian-style restrictions, would stigmatize cross-border cooperation, chill activism and grant the state broad supervisory powers with limited judicial safeguards.
People in Need, the Czech Republic’s largest NGO, warned the draft would stigmatize international cooperation and deter civil-society work. Its co-founder and executive director, Simon Panek, told DW the proposal echoes many elements of Russia’s legislation and called it “the instrument that authoritarians and dictators use to control society.” He stressed the organization already operates under Czech law while running humanitarian, development and human-rights programs in more than 40 countries.
Under the current draft, a wide range of organizations and individuals with foreign ties or funding would have to register as “foreign agents.” Noncompliance could trigger fines of up to 15 million crowns (around €612,000/$701,000) or up to 10% of annual revenue. Opponents say the law seems aimed at human-rights and advocacy groups while notably excluding foreign media — a loophole they argue could allow hostile propaganda to continue unchecked.
Media reports have linked the draft to figures close to former prime minister Andrej Babiš. One drafter, Natalie Vachatova, has been described in Czech outlets as a pro-Russian activist and as Babiš’s “free speech” adviser. Babiš and allied lawmakers reject comparisons with Russia, saying the measure targets political activity rather than organizations that provide social services. They frame the bill as a transparency tool to show “who pays for what” and to protect democracy from undisclosed foreign influence.
Radek Vondráček, an ANO party lawmaker, told Czech television that while free debate is a democratic strength, undisclosed foreign funding can act like “steroids” for lobbying groups and create vulnerabilities. Government supporters also stress that what has circulated publicly is a discussion draft rather than a finalized bill.
Regional legal experts and NGO watchdogs see familiar patterns. András Lederer of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee said labeling civil-society groups is a common tactic of illiberal regimes to undermine credibility and suggest they serve foreign rather than public interests. He described potential sanctions as a “sword of Damocles” hanging over organizations that receive foreign support.
Similar measures elsewhere have met legal resistance: Hungary’s 2017 law was repealed after the European Court of Justice found it breached EU rules, and Slovakia’s foreign-agent-style law — adopted under Robert Fico’s government in June 2025 — was struck down by the Constitutional Court in December 2025. Slovak NGOs reviewing the Czech draft called it reminiscent of Russia’s law; Katarína Batková of Via Iuris said it resembled legislation used in Georgia to punish NGOs.
Public frustration with perceived attacks on democratic norms has already produced large demonstrations this year. In February, thousands rallied across Czechia in support of President Petr Pavel amid tensions with the government. Critics of Babiš argue that the mass protests of 2019 sent a powerful message and hope another strong turnout will pressure lawmakers to reconsider measures they say would curb civil society.
Organizers say Saturday’s rally is intended to defend pluralism and civic freedoms, while supporters of the draft insist the proposal aims to increase transparency. The debate over the law has become a focal point in a broader struggle over the shape of Czech democracy and the role of civil society in public life.