PM: democracy needs to be nurtured

Speaking at the memorial to the Velvet Revolution on Národní St. Prime Minister Bohuslav Svoboda said democracy needed to be nurtured and protected, which was not always easy. He said some people were disappointed by the present day reality because they faced existential problems and blamed the democratic changes for their present circumstances. In order to win broad support for democracy the state must have a strong social dimension, Mr. Sobotka said. Finance Minister Andrej Babiš said he did not believe freedom and democracy were under threat in the Czech Republic as some people would have the public believe. He highlighted how much had been achieved and said Czechs should think positive and unite in taking these achievements further.

A commemorative gathering highlighting the role of students in defense of freedom and democracy took place at Albertov, a historic site which is linked not only to the Velvet Revolution of 1989 but also to a brutal Nazi crack-down on Czech university students on October 28, 1939. Students and academics were openly critical of the policies of President Zeman. In a joint proclamation they expressed support for the values of liberal democracy and removing barriers among nations.