Zeman rejects call to distance himself from demonstration

President Miloš Zeman says Czechs live in a free society and can demonstrate if they like. He made the comment in response to a call from Civic Democrats leader Petr Fiala to distance himself from a demonstration in his support in central Prague. Around 1,000 participants in Saturday's event chanted such slogans as The Czech Republic for Czechs and We don't want multiculturalism. Mr. Zeman said he wished Mr. Fiala enough support to have demonstrations backing him. The Czech president has been criticised by the UN commissioner for human rights and others for his comments on migrants and Muslims. A recent opinion poll suggested 41 percent of voters would give him their backing if he stood again.

Author: Ian Willoughby