Czech Republic Will Not Deport Ukrainian Deserters To Kiev

Prague Monitor: Czechia Will Not Deport Ukrainian Deserters to Kiev 

Ukraine’s attempt to extradite refugees who sought shelter in the Czech Republic to avoid conscription is expected to face significant hurdles through official channels. Such a request would likely contravene Czech law, making it impossible for Justice Minister Pavel Blažek (ODS) to approve it, as confirmed by the Justice Ministry to Echo24.

The Ukrainian military is currently launching a counter-offensive to regain territories occupied by Russian forces, requiring a substantial manpower. However, even amidst pervasive corruption, there remains a shortage of recruits. Some Ukrainian men have managed to evade military service by leaving the country with the assistance of bribes, potentially numbering in the tens of thousands.  

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WNU Editor: Five European countries have already made the decision to not extradite Ukrainians who have escaped mobilization .... Already five European countries have refused to extradite men who have escaped mobilization to Ukraine (MIND).

Czech President Petr Pavel Wants Stricker Security Measures Imposed On Russians Living In Western Countries

Ordinary European Nazi.

Czech President Petr Pavel called for placing Russians in Europe in concentration camps.
As an example, he cited the situation in the United States during World War II. Then 120 thousand Japanese were placed in concentration camps.… pic.twitter.com/kw0MTvuhPs

— Victor vicktop55 (@vicktop55) June 15, 2023

WNU Editor: Czech President Petr Pavel should not have cited the U.S. placing 120,000 Japanese in camps during the Second World War ....  but he did. 

Sighhh .... the EU is going down a very slippery path.

Czech Republic President Admits That His Country Cannot Supply More Weapons To Ukraine

Czech President Petr Pavel © AFP / Vladimir Simicek 

Republic World: 'Decisive' year for war: Czech Republic President Admits That His Country Exhausted All Means Of Arming Ukraine 

On Wednesday, the President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel asserted that the year 2023 would be a “decisive” year for the Russia-Ukraine war. 

The President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel asserted that the year 2023 would be a “decisive” year for the Russia-Ukraine war. According to the Russian news outlet, Russia Today, the president’s remarks came after he predicted that Ukraine's western allies have exhausted all means of arming the war-stricken country. In the midst of the raging Russia-Ukraine war, Kyiv’s western allies like the US, UK and NATO have showcased their support to the war-stricken country to combat the wrath of the Russian forces. From military tanks to fighter jets, the western allies have equipped Ukraine with ammunition as the war continues to escalate. 

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WNU Editor: Russian media is covering the Czech Republic President's remarks extensively .... NATO member admits it has no weapons left to offer Ukraine (RT).  

Update: The Czech Republic President is probably right about this .... Czech President assumes NATO gets fed up with Ukraine (Pravda.ru).

Retired NATO Army General Petr Pavel Wins Czech Presidential Election

 

BBC: Petr Pavel: Ex-general beats populist rival in Czech election 

Retired Nato general Petr Pavel has been elected as the new president of the Czech Republic, seeing off his populist challenger Andrej Babis. 

The 61-year-old took 57.6% of the vote, initial results released by the state statistics office showed. 

Mr Babis - who served as prime minister between 2017 and 2021 - conceded defeat in a speech to supporters soon after the results were announced. 

The ex-general will replace Milos Zeman, whose second term ends in March. 

The second-round runoff between Mr Babis and Mr Pavel was portrayed as a contest between populist oligarchy and liberal democracy. 

The elections' results follow an ill-tempered campaign marred by alleged death threats and disinformation.   

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Retired NATO Army General Petr Pavel Wins Czech Presidential Election  

Retired Czech army general Pavel wins presidential election -- AP

Retired NATO general Petr Pavel elected president of Czech Republic -- France 24

Pro-western Petr Pavel sweeps to landslide win in race for Czech presidency -- The Guardian  

Czech election: Ex-NATO general Pavel defeats ex-PM Babis -- DW  

Retired Czech general Petr Pavel wins presidential election -- CNN  

Petr Pavel to become next Czech president -- Politico.eu

Czech Voters Going To The Polls Today For The Second Round Of The Presidential Election

 

BBC: Czechs to vote in second round of presidential election 

Czech voters are going to the polls on Friday to elect a successor to President Milos Zeman, whose second term ends in March.

The second-round runoff between former Prime Minister Andrej Babis and retired Nato general Petr Pavel is portrayed as a contest between populist oligarchy and liberal democracy. 

Mr Pavel appears to have a commanding lead over Mr Babis. 

The contest has been marked by disinformation and even death threats. 

In the Czech Republic, the role of president is a mostly ceremonial but still highly influential post. 

Mr Pavel and Mr Babis came top out of the seven men and one woman who were in the first round to replace Mr Zeman.  

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Czech Voters Going To The Polls Today For The Second Round Of The Presidential Election 

Czechs pick successor to Milos Zeman in presidential runoff -- AP 

Pro-Western former general Pavel favoured as Czechs elect president -- Reuters  

Pro-Western war hero Pavel looks set to sweep Czech presidential vote -- France 24 

Bitter presidential election campaign in Czech Republic enters final round -- UPI

Second Round Of The Czech Presidential Election Will Be Between Retired General Peter Pavel And Ex-Premier Andrej Babis

Presidential candidate Petr Pavel arrives to address media after announcement of the preliminary results for the first round of presidential election in Prague. AP Photo  

Reuters: Retired general, ex-premier to square off in Czech presidential runoff 

PRAGUE (Reuters) - Retired general Petr Pavel scored a narrow win over billionaire ex-premier Andrej Babis in the first round of the Czech presidential election on Saturday, securing a solid base for a runoff in two weeks, nearly complete results showed. 

The post does not carry executive authority but has significant powers in appointing prime ministers, central bank chiefs and nominating judges for the constitutional court. 

Presidents also have a limited say in foreign affairs and are chief army commanders. Results from 99.99% of the voting districts showed Pavel won with 35.39%, ahead of Babis with 35.00%.  

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Update #1: Pavel edges Babis in first round of Czech presidential vote (AP)  

Update #2: Pro-Western retired general leads first round in Czech presidential election (Politico)  

WNU Editor: The second Presidential round will be in two weeks.

Tens Of Thousands Of Czechs Protesters Call For A New Government And Direct Gas Talks With Russia

‼️✊🇨🇿 Mass protests against anti-Russian sanctions are taking place in Prague,the standard of living is aggravating because of the sanctions

Residents accuse the political leadership of aggravating the energy crisis and demand the resignation of the country's prime minister pic.twitter.com/L6ZCskHpRE

— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) October 28, 2022

Reuters: Czech Protesters Call for New Government, Direct Gas Talks With Russia 

PRAGUE (Reuters) - Thousands of Czechs protested in Prague on Friday, demanding the centre-right government step down to allow an early election and calling for talks with Russia on gas supplies ahead of winter. 

The demonstration on a national holiday in Prague's main square was the third organised by far-right political movements, fringe groups and the Communist party. 

Police estimated the crowd in the lower tens of thousands, less than the two previous rallies.  

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Update #1: Thousands of protesters take to the streets in Prague to demand negotiations with Russia on gas supplies (News 360)  

Update #2: Celebrations and anti-government protests on Czechoslovak Independence Day (Radio Prague)  

WNU Editor: That is not a few thousand protesters showing up. That is tens of thousands making their opinions known.

Czech PM Blames Russian Propaganda For Mass Protests In Prague This Weekend

 

Euractiv: Czech PM blames pro-Russian forces for mass demonstration against government 

Pro-Russian forces are to blame for the protest against the Czech government’s foreign and economic policy in which 70,000 people gathered, according to Czech conservative Prime Minister Petr Fiala. 

The event was organised by radical political groups, including Communist Party and Freedom and the Direct Democracy Party. 

Organisers criticised the high energy prices and the pro-Western course of the current government. They also demanded short-term contracts for cheap gas and oil supplies or replacement of the management of the public TV and Radio broadcasters. 

The demonstration was called “Czechia First”. Some participants carried anti-EU or anti-NATO banners.  

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Update: Czech PM Blames Russian Propaganda For Mass Protests In Prague (OilPrice.com)  

WNU Editor: Over 70,000 attended this weekend's protests in Prague .... Tens Of Thousands Protest In Prague Against The Czech Government And Its Energy Policies, The EU And NATO (September 3, 2022), and these protests are now spreading .... Russian supporters and counter-demonstrators protest in Cologne (TVP World).

Tens Of Thousands Protest In Prague Against The Czech Government And Its Energy Policies, The EU And NATO

 

Reuters: Tens of thousands protest in Prague against Czech government, EU and NATO PRAGUE 

(Reuters) - An estimated 70,000 people protested in Prague against the Czech government on Saturday, calling on the ruling coalition to do more to control soaring energy prices and voicing opposition to the European Union and NATO. 

Organizers of the demonstration from a number of far-right and fringe political groups including the Communist party, said the central European nation should be neutral militarily and ensure direct contracts with gas suppliers, including Russia. 

Police estimates put the number of protesters at around 70,000 by mid-afternoon.  

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WNU Editor: It is not even winter yet. 

Tens Of Thousands Protest In Prague Against The Czech Government And Its Energy Policies, The EU And NATO  

Tens of Thousands Protest Against Czech Government -- AP  

Czech Republic: Thousands take part in Prague anti-government demonstration -- DW  

Thousands of Czechs Protest in Central Prague Over Energy Crisis -- Bloomberg

Czech Republic Becomes The First NATO Country To Send Tanks To Ukraine

 

Daily Mail: First NATO country sends tanks to Ukraine: Czech Republic provides T-72 tanks and armoured infantry vehicles following Zelensky's plea for help 

* BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, howitzer artillery pieces, and a dozen T-72 tanks were transferred to Ukraine 

* Czech Republic is the first NATO country to deliver heavy military equipment since war began on February 24 

* NATO leaders have only given Ukraine anti-tank and anti-craft missiles, small arms and protective equipment 

* The delivery has once again raised concerns that NATO may get dragged into Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine 

* It comes as Russian artillery continued to pound the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Kharkiv on Wednesday 

The Czech Republic has become the first NATO country to send tanks to Ukraine, providing T-72 and armoured infantry vehicles following President Zelensky's plea for help. 

Several BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, howitzer artillery pieces and more than a dozen T-72 tanks were yesterday loaded on a train bound for Slovakia where they are expected to head on to Ukraine, footage run by public broadcaster Czech Television showed. 

The delivery is understood to be a gift agreed on by NATO allies, raising fears the trans-Atlantic bloc could be dragged into the Russian war in Ukraine despite remaining on the sidelines for more than a month. 

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Czech Republic Becomes The First NATO Country To Send Tanks To Ukraine 

Czech Republic sends tanks, infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine - source -- Reuters  

Ukraine Quietly Receives Tanks From Czech Republic to Support War Effort -- WSJ  

Czech Republic sends tanks to bolster Ukraine forces -- Financial Times  

Ukraine Situation Report: Czech Republic To Transfer 56 Upgraded BMP-1 Armored Vehicles To Ukraine -- Warzone/The Drive

Czech Anti-Government Protesters Stage Massive Protest On The Anniversary Of The Velvet Revolution

DW: Prague: Anti-government protests mark Velvet Revolution anniversary

Over 200,000 people took to the streets of Prague on Saturday as part of anti-government protests. Sunday marks 30 years since the 1989 Velvet Revolution that led to the fall of communism in what was then Czechoslovakia.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in the Czech capital on Saturday as part of major anti-government protests.

This comes one day ahead of the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the Velvet Revolution, a series of nonviolent mass protests that led to the overthrow of communism in what was then Czechoslovakia. The bloodless revolution was the basis for the founding of the Czech Republic as a democratic state.

Police estimated that 200,000 people were on the streets, while organizers put the number at up to 300,000.

Saturday's protest was organized by activist group Million Moments for Democracy, which has staged numerous protests against the government of Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, urging him to resign.

Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In The Czech Republic

Czech anti-government protesters mark anniversary of revolution -- BBC
Marking 30 years since Velvet Revolution, huge Czech protest calls on PM to quit -- France 24
Czechs Use 30th Anniversary of Velvet Revolution to Pressure Prime Minister to Sell Business -- Time/AP
Velvet Revolution dissidents warn against new threats to Czech freedom -- The Guardian
This Sunday the Czech Republic celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution -- Euronews
Czechs and Slovaks celebrate Velvet Revolution and denounce current leaders -- Irish Times

Czechs Vote For A President

Radio Free Europe: Czechs Vote For President, With Divisive Incumbent Favored

The Czech Republic is holding a presidential election that pits incumbent President Milos Zeman, who opposes immigration and is seen as pro-Russia, against eight other candidates.

Zeman is favored to win the most votes in the January 12-13 first round.

If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, the top two finishers will face each other in a runoff on January 26-27.

Zeman, 73, has held the largely ceremonial post since 2013.

He has courted controversy by voicing antimigrant views, denigrating Muslims, and warming up to Russian President Vladimir Putin at a time when many in Europe fear that Moscow is meddling in Western elections and affairs.

Read more ....

Update #1: Czechs pick between east-looking Zeman and pro-western challengers in presidential vote (Reuters)
Update #2: Czech elections: Here's all you need to know about the latest challenge to European unity (CNBC)

WNU Editor: This is the first round of voting .... unless a candidate gets 50% of the vote.

Anti-Corruption/Anti-Euro Parties Win Big In Czech Elections

AFP: 'Czech Trump' clinches election victory, eurosceptics boosted

Prague (AFP) - With voters upset over traditional parties and orders from Brussels, billionaire populist Andrej Babis, dubbed the "Czech Trump", clinched victory in the Czech Republic's election on Saturday, while eurosceptics and an anti-Islam group backed by France's National Front made strong gains.

State election officials citing results from 99.6 percent of polling stations said Babis's anti-corruption and anti-euro ANO (Yes) movement was ahead with 29.7 percent support (78 parliament seats) followed by the eurosceptic right-wing ODS party on 11.3 percent. Turnout was at 60 percent.

Despite the country's economic success, analysts say many Czechs who are heavily in debt or working long hours for low wages feel they have been left behind and are turning to populist, eurosceptic and far-right anti-EU parties to vent their ire.

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WNU Editor: One more nail in the EU - Euro project.

More News On Today's Czech Election

Populist billionaire’s party wins big in Czech Republic -- AP
Czech Election Won by Anti-Establishment Party Led by Billionaire -- New York Times
Czech election: Billionaire Babis wins by large margin -- BBC News
Billionaire Babis scores big in Czech election -- Reuters
Czech billionaire's ANO party set to win elections -- The Guardian
Czech election runner-up says no talks with winner ANO on government -- Reuters
Czech Mogul Faces Tough Cabinet Talks After Dominating Elections -- Bloomberg
Political scientist: It is difficult to imagine a prime minister who faces criminal charges -- Radio Prague

Another Populist Anti-Establshment Anti-Immigrant Candidate Is On The Verge Of Winning The Election In The Czech Republic

Czech Finance Minister Andrej Babis addresses a parliamentary session in Prague, Czech Republic, May 10, 2017. REUTERS/David W Cerny

New York Times: In Czech Election, a New Threat to European Unity

PRAGUE — He’s a media-wise billionaire used to getting his own way, and promising to run the government like a business. He wants immigrants to stay away. And although his political positions are tricky to pin down, they are tinged with populist and muscular rhetoric.

Andrej Babis, 63, who built an agribusiness and media empire in the ruins of the Soviet collapse, is the front-runner to become the Czech Republic’s new prime minister, running as the leader of a movement he created a few years ago for that very purpose.

“He is like Trump, really,” said Jiri Pehe, a political analyst and director of New York University in Prague. “You can watch him and see how he suffers in Parliament, forced to listen to other people.”

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Update #1: Prague poised to turn away from Brussels (Politico)
Update #2: Controversial oligarch Andrej Babiš could be about to win the Czech election (The Conversation).

WNU Editor: Until recently he was the country's finance minister, so he is well known by the public. Andrej Babis' anti-EU stance is also resonating with many .... especially his opposition to joining the Euro. The election will be held on October 20-21, and according to opinion polls, half of the electorate are still undecided.

Vaclav Havel, Former Czech Leader, Dies At 75

Vaclav Havel, Czech Leader And Playwright, Dies At 75 -- BBC

Vaclav Havel, the Czech Republic's first president after the Velvet Revolution against communist rule, has died at the age of 75.

The former dissident playwright, who suffered from prolonged ill-health, died on Sunday morning, his secretary Sabina Tancecova said.

As president, he presided over Czechoslovakia's transition to democracy and a free-market economy.

He oversaw its peaceful 1993 split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Havel first came to international fame as a dissident playwright in the 1970s through his involvement with the human rights manifesto Charter 77.

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My Comment: He was a man who clearly helped in transforming the Czech Republic into the democratic country that it is today. His unabashed support for freedom and democracy is his legacy, and his loss will be sorely felt.