70,000 Czechs protest government, EU and Nato
An estimated 70,000 Czechs from across the political spectrum, took to the streets to protest against the Czech government, EU and NATO.
The demonstrators were marching on the streets of Prague, calling on the ruling coalition party to bring energy prices under control whilst voicing their opposition to the EU and NATO.
The protest was organised by several far-right and fringe political groups, who say the country should be neutral militarily and maintain importing gas from Russia.
“The aim of our demonstration is to demand change, mainly in solving the issue of energy prices, especially electricity and gas, which will destroy our economy this autumn,” event co-organizer Jiri Havel told local media.
The protesters want the Conservative PM Petr Fiala to resign, amid their criticism of his coalition government on a number of issues. They also take issue with the Western-oriented policies of the coalition government.
The protest came off the heels of the government surviving a vote of no-confidence amid opposition claims of inaction against inflation and energy prices.
The events in the Czech Republic are highlighting how Europe’s energy crisis is fuelling political instability as soaring power prices stoke unprecedented inflation.
Many are worried that high inflation due to the current energy crisis could fuel social unrest, protests and strikes according to a new European survey.
The protesters condemned the government’s decision to join the EU sanctions against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, saying they were causing prices to rocket.
The Czech Republic currently holds the bloc’s rotating presidency.
