Irena Kalhousová received the Karel Kramář medal from Prime Minister Petr Fiala

On the occasion of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day, Prime Minister Petr Fiala awarded the Karel Kramář medal to Irena Kalhousová, an expert at the Institute of Political Studies FSV UK and director of the Herzl Center for Israel Studies. She received the award for her outstanding contribution to the public debate on Middle East issues.

Prime Minister Fiala honored a total of 17 personalities this year - for example, the chief conductor of the Bamberg Symphony Jakub Hrůša, diplomat Martin Palouš, writer Jiří Padevět or former politician and ambassador Michael Žantovský.

The Karel Kramář Medal is named after the first Czechoslovak Prime Minister and is the highest award given by the Prime Minister. It was established in 2008 on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the first Czechoslovak government.The Prime Minister awards the medal for merits for the development of public debate, the development of culture, the spread of the good name of the Czech Republic beyond the borders, respect for human rights or a brave citizen's attitude during the communist dictatorship.

Last year, the Prime Minister honored 14 personalities on the occasion of the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. Later, in a non-public part of the ceremony, he awarded medals to three members of the special forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. It was the same this year - already in the morning in the non-public part he presented the medals to two members of the armed forces.