Massive rally held in Prague to protest against government, EU, NATO

 

By Al Mayadeen English
   

The protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Petr Fiala's coalition government over its reckless pro-Western and pro-NATO policies.

Civil unrest unfolded as nearly 70,000 people gathered in Prague's iconic Wenceslas Square on Saturday to demand change in several areas of government policy.

Protesters demanded the resignation of the center-right government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala's coalition due to it neglecting its citizens at the expense of war-ravaged Ukraine.

Clear outrage was expressed over the growing inflation, soaring energy prices, Covid-19 vaccination, and immigrants.

Organizers of the demonstration dubbed "Czech Republic in the first place" said the central European nation should be neutral militarily and ensure direct contracts with gas suppliers, including Russia.

"The goal of our protests is a call for change, we want the issue of energy prices, especially electricity and gas, to be resolved, because if it is not resolved, it will destroy our economy this fall," one of the organizers Jirži Havel told iDNES.cz.

"The best for Ukrainians and two sweaters for us," read a banner, a reference to concerns over winter heating bills.

Rallies previously took place this year during the month of May in Republic Square to protest the provision of military aid to Ukraine. 

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