Prague: An estimated 70,000 people protest Praha Against the Czech government on Saturday, the ruling coalition called on the ruling coalition to do more to control rising energy prices and to raise its voice against the EU and NATO.
The organizers of the demonstrations by several far-right and fringe political groups, including the Communist Party, said the Central European nation should be militarily neutral and ensure direct contracts with gas suppliers, including Russia,
Police estimate the number of protesters has risen to around 70,000 by mid-afternoon.
“Our demonstration is primarily aimed at demanding changes in addressing the issue of energy prices, especially electricity and gas, that will destroy our economy this autumn,” said program co-organizer Jiri Haveli told the iDNES.cz news website.
The protest at Wenceslas Square in the city center came a day after the government avoided a no-confidence vote amid opposition claims of inaction against inflation and energy prices.
The vote showed how Europe’s energy crisis is fueling political instability as rising electricity prices fuel inflation, which is already at levels unseen in three decades.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who leads the centre-right, five-party coalition, told CTK news service on Saturday that the best interests of the country were not at the heart of the protesters.
“The protest at Wenceslas Square was called by forces that are pro-Russian, hold extreme positions and are against the interests of the Czech Republic,” he said.
The organizers of the demonstrations by several far-right and fringe political groups, including the Communist Party, said the Central European nation should be militarily neutral and ensure direct contracts with gas suppliers, including Russia,
Police estimate the number of protesters has risen to around 70,000 by mid-afternoon.
“Our demonstration is primarily aimed at demanding changes in addressing the issue of energy prices, especially electricity and gas, that will destroy our economy this autumn,” said program co-organizer Jiri Haveli told the iDNES.cz news website.
The protest at Wenceslas Square in the city center came a day after the government avoided a no-confidence vote amid opposition claims of inaction against inflation and energy prices.
The vote showed how Europe’s energy crisis is fueling political instability as rising electricity prices fuel inflation, which is already at levels unseen in three decades.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who leads the centre-right, five-party coalition, told CTK news service on Saturday that the best interests of the country were not at the heart of the protesters.
“The protest at Wenceslas Square was called by forces that are pro-Russian, hold extreme positions and are against the interests of the Czech Republic,” he said.