A demonstration against the placement of an American military base took place in Prague on Tuesday afternoon, with approximately fifty protesters gathering at Malostranské náměstí to express their opposition. Organized by the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM), the demonstration saw the participation of notable figures, including Milan Krajča, Deputy Chairman of KSČM, Petra Prokšanová, Chairwoman of the Youth Commission of KSČM, former Deputy Chairwoman of KSČM Marta Semelová, and Jaroslav Foldyna, a member of the SPD party.

During the demonstration, protesters displayed Russian and Soviet flags, and one of the banners conveyed the message, “We don’t want the U.S. Army in the Czech Republic.” The gathering reflects the ongoing debate and opposition surrounding the potential establishment of an American military presence in the country, highlighting differing views on the matter.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defense Jana Černochová (ODS) is currently in the United States, where she is set to sign a defense cooperation agreement (DCA) on Tuesday. She clarified to journalists that the agreement does not involve the placement of American soldiers or military bases in the Czech Republic. She stated, “The agreement does not grant the United States the right to station soldiers and bases on our territory.”

The protest and the defense cooperation agreement signing underscore the contrasting perspectives regarding the potential American military presence in the Czech Republic. While some demonstrators express their opposition to such a development, the government maintains that the agreement does not include provisions for the establishment of military bases. The ongoing debate surrounding this issue highlights the complex and nuanced discussions taking place within the country regarding its military relationships and foreign policy decisions.

Article by Prague Forum