Czechs and Slovaks Mark Velvet Revolution With Mass Protests for Democracy

Post by : Saif

Thousands of people across the Czech Republic and Slovakia gathered on Monday to mark the 36th anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution. While the day is usually filled with celebrations and cultural events, this year it became a powerful moment of protest as many warned that democracy in both countries is facing new risks.

The Velvet Revolution was the peaceful movement that ended decades of communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia. After the country split peacefully in 1993, both the Czech Republic and Slovakia built strong democratic systems and became members of the European Union and NATO. But in recent years, many citizens feel these values are weakening.

In Slovakia, huge crowds filled the streets of Bratislava and other cities. The rallies were led by opposition parties and civic groups who fear that Prime Minister Robert Fico is pushing the country away from its pro-Western path. Fico, now in his fourth term, has taken a clear pro-Russian stance on the war in Ukraine and has met Russian President Vladimir Putin several times.

Opponents also accuse him of weakening democratic institutions. He closed a special anti-corruption office, increased government control over public media, and accused activists of planning to overthrow the government. Many Slovaks worry he is creating space for discussions about leaving the EU, even though he has not suggested this directly.

At the protest, Jaroslav Nad, leader of the opposition Democrats party, told the crowd, “Fico attacks independent institutions, culture, media… exactly like the communists did. He is dragging us away from the democratic world.”

Fico rejects these claims, saying he is protecting Slovakia’s sovereignty and correcting mistakes made by the previous government.

In the Czech Republic, protests were held in Prague’s Old Town Square. The demonstrations took place alongside traditional celebrations such as concerts, exhibitions, and candle lighting on Narodni Avenue, where police once beat peaceful student protesters in 1989.

This year’s protests focused on the outcome of the recent Czech election, where the populist ANO party, led by billionaire and former prime minister Andrej Babis, won the most votes. Babis is trying to form a government with a far-right party known for its anti-EU and anti-NATO views, raising fears that the Czech Republic may shift away from Western values.

Many protesters carried Czech, EU, and Ukrainian flags as symbols of support for democracy, European cooperation, and Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression. They also voiced concern about potential cuts to Ukraine aid and plans to expand government influence over public media and non-governmental organisations.

Engineer Martin Leska, who joined the Prague rally, said, “The government that will probably be formed wants to loosen our ties with the civilized world, with Western Europe and the European Union. I’m very concerned that it won’t be good for our country or for our people.”

Babis has said he will resolve any conflicts of interest linked to his large business empire once he becomes prime minister, but he has not explained how. This has created a tense situation with President Petr Pavel, who insists that Babis must clearly address these concerns before he appoints him.

The events in both countries show that even decades after the fall of communism, the fight to protect democracy continues. For many citizens, the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution is no longer only a memory of the past but also a reminder of the responsibility to defend freedom in the present.

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