Intelligence report: Ethnic tensions biggest threat for Czech democracy

Heightened ethnic tensions in some regions of the Czech Republic are the biggest threat for Czech democracy, according to an annual report for 2013 by the BIS, the country’s intelligence service. Anti-Romany sentiments harboured by sections of the Czech public could be a bigger threat for the security of the state than more extreme but less numerous groups of far-right radicals, the report says. Last year saw another series of often violent anti-Romany rallies, fuelled by frustration felt by inhabitants of areas with strong Romany presence. This could lead to increased scepticism towards the country’s democratic principles, the BIS reports concludes.

Author: Jan Richter