Czech Government Advances 'Foreign Agents' Bill Modeled on Russian Law; NGOs Face Registration or Fines

The Babiš government is preparing legislation requiring NGOs and individuals involved in vaguely defined 'political activity' who receive foreign aid to register or face substantial penalties—a model critics compare to Russia's foreign agents law. The bill, combined with proposed changes to public broadcasting funding that could give the government editorial control, has become a central grievance of the opposition. Former Academy of Sciences president Václav Pačes warned the proposed law could restrict personal freedoms.