Czech PM warns country could 'head East' as election tensions rise

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala warned supporters Wednesday that the country risks "heading East" politically if the opposition wins next month's election, delivering his most direct language yet about threats to Czechia's Western alignment.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Prague that was repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestine protesters, Fiala described the upcoming vote as pivotal for the country's geopolitical direction. The disruptions themselves underscored the social tensions he cited as evidence of political instability.

"The citizens who come to see me also express great concern about what could happen to this country if extremists and populists win the elections," Fiala told roughly 300 supporters at Náměstí Míru. "I must admit that for the first time since November 1989, I am also worried."

Fiala specifically warned against a government led by former PM Andrej Babiš and far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy party head Tomio Okamura, suggesting such leadership would pull Czechia away from its current pro-Western stance.

The rally revealed deep fractures in Czech society, with around 30 pro-Palestine activists interrupting Defense Minister Jana Černochová almost immediately after she began speaking. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and held banners reading "Together, to The Hague" and "No more weapons from our taxes."

When Černochová attempted to address the crowd, demonstrators shouted accusations that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza with Czech government complicity. The activists chanted "Stop genocide" and "Free Palestine" while whistling and drumming throughout coalition leaders' speeches.

Despite the disruption, Fiala delivered his remarks, with supporters often drowning out protesters with applause. At one point, he addressed the activists directly: "Come to me, we will have fun together, and things will definitely get better."

The tensions followed Fiala to his next stop at náměstí Republiky, where protesters continued their demonstration while Israel supporters displayed a large Israeli flag, highlighting the international conflicts now dividing Czech politics.

For foreign residents, Fiala's warning about "heading East" signals potential shifts in Czechia's EU and NATO commitments under opposition leadership. The country's foreign policy direction has remained consistently Western-oriented since 1989, but the Prime Minister's concerns suggest this trajectory is no longer guaranteed.

Authorities reported no major incidents, though a small group of other government critics appeared carrying a sign reading "F*ck both Fiala and [Ukrainian President] Volodymyr Zelenskyy," reflecting broader discontent with current foreign policy positions.

With exactly one month until the election, Fiala emphasized that "right here in Prague, the election result matters so much." This serves as a reminder that the capital's vote could determine whether Czechia maintains its current Western alignment or shifts toward a more Eastern-oriented foreign policy.