Stage goes up on Old Town Square for Milion chvilek election rally

On Sunday, September 28, crews are setting up a stage and two LED screens on Prague's Old Town Square, where the civic movement Milion chvilek is holding an election-themed rally starting at 4 p.m.

According to event producer Robin Suchánek, the square is much smaller than Letná Plain, where the movement held a rally in March, so less equipment and fewer security measures are needed here: crews are building a smaller stage and just two LED screens, one of them in front of the monument. Unlike at Letná, organizers won't be setting up security corridors or portable toilets — participants can use the cafes and businesses nearby instead.

A call not to vote for populists

Municipal elections and the first round of Senate by-elections will take place on October 9 and 10. Milion chvilek is urging voters not to back populists and extremists. The movement's chairman, Mikuláš Minář, said the upcoming elections are a chance to show what people think of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's style of governing, and that the organization will call on voters to seize the opportunity and "present the government with a bill."

Minář also noted that September 28 is the feast day of all Václavs, and that the movement, together with invited guests, wants to especially remember Václav Havel, who would have turned 90 just a few days later.

Police say the event poses no risk

During the morning, a tanker truck belonging to volunteer firefighters from the Horní Měcholupy district drove past the Astronomical Clock, though professional units were not deployed there as a precaution. Fire brigade spokesman Vojtěch Rotschedl said police did not assess the event as risky, so no special measures are being taken.

Prague police spokeswoman Eva Kropáčová said officers have prepared security measures to protect all participants and ensure the announced gathering proceeds peacefully, adding that based on experience from previous years, no major complications are expected.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz