The open debate that took place on the evening of 18 November showed that young people are keenly interested in events at home and abroad and are not indifferent to them. In his introduction, President Petr Pavel congratulated those in the lecture hall who “clicked fast to register” and had succeeded in a flash competition to participate in the meeting and promised that this would not be his last visit to Masaryk University.
The moderator, Kateřina Slaná, opened the discussion with a question from a student of the Faculty of Social Studies, who asked whether discussions with students influence the President’s view of the world. In his response, he rejected the cliché that young people today are only interested in social media. “My impression is that young people, whether in secondary schools, vocational schools or apprentice schools, are interested in the same things as adults. I see a difference in their questions and approach though – they often know more about current events than their parents or grandparents. The fact that they follow news on social media is normal, it is their natural communication environment,” said Petr Pavel. At the same time, he also pointed out that social media are dynamically changing the media landscape and sometimes distort reality. Objectivity is giving way to speed, clickbait and financing according to owners or publishers, and the information space is fragmenting into separate islands. According to the Czech president, it is important to look for ways to restore trust and responsibility, and to reach the widest possible audience in the digital space. This is also the reason why he is organising a forum on this topic with media representatives.
Russia and Belarus: security and communication
The students were also interested in how Czechia treats people from Russia and Belarus at a time when the ruling regimes in both countries are posing a security risk. Specifically, the question was raised as to why the Czech government does not issue visas to Belarusian citizens, despite the fact that the majority of Belarusians do not support the regime and would like to study or work in Czechia. President Pavel explained that the current situation is complex: many European countries are facing attempts by Russia to exploit their citizens – including students, journalists and scientists – for intelligence purposes and the country must defend itself. However, he also emphasised that young people from Russia and Belarus often represent the hope for the future of their respective countries, and that they should be allowed to study in Czechia. “It is important that they tell us what life is like in their home countries. We must communicate with those people. I speak with representatives of the Russian and Belarusian opposition myself, because if we misjudge their situation, we could make the wrong decisions. I am in favour of finding ways to communicate with people from these countries without exposing them to risk, while also protecting our own countries from hostile activities,” Pavel explained.
Support for Ukraine
The students also asked about the future of Czech support for Ukraine. President Pavel emphasised that the Czech Republic continues to support Ukraine, both symbolically and through concrete actions, and that solidarity remains a key principle. “We do not want the international system to revert to the law of the jungle. If we allowed that to happen, the entire rules-based order would collapse. It is absolutely right that we support Ukraine, even with all the problems that it entails. Protecting the international system is not our only aim – we also want to develop long-term relations. And when the war is finally over, the country will need reconstruction and economic recovery, and if we behave as partners, we will be there to participate,” he explained. He also added that, according to the incoming government’s approved manifesto, foreign aid will not be stopped and the ammunition initiative will continue, although the incoming government will need to learn the details.
Conflict of interest and political responsibility
The current political situation in the Czech Republic is a topic that is regularly discussed in the media and naturally came up in the debate. This included the issue of Andrej Babiš and the potential conflict of interest he, as the owner of a large business empire, would face if he were to become Czech Prime Minister. The President reiterated that he would honour the Constitution and act in the public interest, ensuring that no one in the government prioritises their own interests over those of the public. “This is a preventive measure. I want nothing more than for Andrej Babiš to publicly state how he will resolve his conflict of interest after he is appointed as PM.” He also mentioned that the situation could have more serious consequences within the European Union. The European Commission could take a much stricter view of this issue and could even use it as grounds to suspend EU funding for the whole of the Czech Republic. “This is not a petty rivalry, it’s about upholding the principles of the rule of law in the country we want to live in – the law that protects us all,” added Pavel.
As there are many Slovak students at MU, the question of the situation in Slovakia and the pro-Russian attitudes of its government was also raised. President Pavel emphasised that, despite some political differences, these do not pose a fundamental threat to the security of the Czech Republic. He added that it is important to focus on the issues on which both countries agree.
Positive change
When asked whether he had had any expectations when he took office, President Pavel gave a personal answer. He admitted that he entered office knowing what he was getting into and did not heave sweeping ambitions. “Large organisations are like aircraft carriers – it takes time for them to get going or to change direction,” he said. Nevertheless, he decided to use his power to push for a positive change. He travels around the country, holding public meetings with citizens, students, and companies. He talks to people who inspire others and promote positive attitudes.
“Pessimism spreads more easily, so I try to use every opportunity I have to push in the opposite direction,” he said. He decided to encourage and connect active citizens who are trying to do something that benefits others, even without any systematic or financial support. He recently invited citizens from several regions of the country to his residence in Lány, with the aim of linking what he referred to as “islands of positive deviation”. “People left feeling encouraged, knowing that they are not alone and that there are many others like them, who inspire each other. Not everyone may appreciate it very much, but that doesn’t bother me. It makes sense for me to say: I haven’t changed this country, but many people now look at our country and our lives differently and more positively,” he concluded.
The moderator thanked the President for his efforts, noting they are one of the reasons why young people want to stay in the Czech Republic.