Thousands demand science-backed climate policies in massive Prague protest

Thousands of demonstrators filled Hradčanské náměstí on Sunday to protest the possible appointment of the Motorists party to lead the Ministry of the Environment, warning that the move would endanger the protection of Czech nature and reverse years of progress on climate policy. The protest erupted as other controversies, including racist social media allegations and disputes over the culture ministry, deepened tensions in the coalition talks.

The demonstration, one of the largest civic gatherings since the election, comes as coalition negotiations led by ANO chief Andrej Babiš face mounting public anger.

Environmentalists, students, and scientists called on President Petr Pavel to block the Motorists’ nominee, arguing that the party’s agenda—scrapping green subsidies, ending non-intervention in national parks, and opposing EU emissions rules—would weaken constitutional protections of the environment.

Protesters demanded that any new minister prioritize scientific evidence in climate and conservation policy, protect existing environmental programs, and ensure that natural areas remain safeguarded against industrial exploitation. 

Waving banners reading “Save the Ministry of the Environment” and “Choose eco, not ego,” demonstrators repeatedly chanted “We don’t want [Peter] Macinka,” the party chairman. Lecturer Martina Franková from Charles University’s Faculty of Law attended, telling the media that a party that doesn’t realize a healthy environment is vital for people clearly does not intend to protect it, as the constitution requires.

The protests coincide with widening scandals in the coalition talks. Filip Turek, the Motorists’ honorary president and a potential foreign minister nominee, is facing backlash after past sexist, racist, and homophobic remarks on social media resurfaced, including references to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. 

Turek denied authoring the comments, calling the reports “an effort to discredit him.” Babiš described the allegations as “serious” and said he would meet both Turek and Macinka.

Organizers read statements from conservation groups calling for the government to appoint a minister “committed to preserving biodiversity and enforcing environmental standards,” and speakers emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency in environmental governance.

Meanwhile, nearly 500 Czech artists have signed an open letter urging Pavel and Babiš not to appoint Motorists member Oto Klempíř as culture minister. The signatories warn that “a culture minister should safeguard the independence and diversity of artistic production, not undermine it,” citing fears of political interference in cultural funding and institutions.