Tens of thousands of Czechs protested in Prague against the government to demand more state help with rising energy bills, the largest example of public discontent over the cost of living crisis in three decades.
Police estimate that about 70,000 people filled Wenceslas Square in the center of the Czech capital on Saturday, with some carrying signs against the country's membership in the European Union and NATO.
Shromáždění na Václavském náměstí probíhá v klidu a nemuseli jsme zatím řešit žádné vážnější problémy. Počet účastníků ve 14.30h odhadujeme asi na 70 tisíc. pic.twitter.com/9J4QGDEg3j
— Policie ČR (@PolicieCZ) September 3, 2022
The central bank of the Czech Republic expects inflation to peak at 20% in the coming months due to surging housing costs and spiking energy prices.
About 3% of the country's economic output will come from the state aid. Pension increases, pay hikes for state workers and energy subsidies are included in the package of measures.
The far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy, as well as the Communist Party, were expected to speak at the rally.
An online petition called for securing cheap natural gas supplies via a direct contract with Russia and more support for Czech businesses. The Czech Republic did not accept the permanent settlement of Ukrainian refugees.
The prime minister said that the demonstration was organized by pro-Russian sympathizers influenced by Kremlin propaganda.
(Corrects name of political party in fifth paragraph in story first published on Sept. 3)
All Rights Reserved © 2024
