Thousands demonstrate against Czech government over high inflation, soaring energy prices
Thousands of Czechs have demonstrated in Prague's central square, calling on the government to quit over high inflation and soaring energy prices.
Police did not give estimates of the size of the Sunday protest, which was named "Czechia against poverty," and during which protesters blamed the government for paying too much attention to Ukraine and ignoring their economic woes.
They took the government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala to task for rising prices of energy and groceries as inflation in the EU and NATO member of 10.5 million people reached 15 percent in March.
The protest, similar to another demonstration in March, was organized by non-parliamentary political party PRO. The party has been a harsh critic of the center-right government of Fiala for its handling of the energy crisis that has hit Europe since Russia's war with Ukraine began more than a year ago.
PRO has also blasted the government for muzzling free speech and has called on it to push for peace in the Ukraine war.
The government "should be replaced with real experts, the current ministers are no good and they are not able to handle the economic situation in this country," said Prague protester Ludek Sic.
Carrying a Czech flag, Renata Urbanova, who came to Prague's Wenceslas Square from the southern city of Pisek, said the government was "full of warmongers,” adding, "Another thing is that they are making us suffer economically, energy is too expensive and so is food."
Fiala's government has provided Ukraine with substantial military and humanitarian aid since the war started in February 2022.
"Collect the last remnants of your honor, realize that you are not up to the job, and resign," protest organizer and PRO leader, Jindrich Rajchl, told the crowd, which filled half of Prague's Wenceslas Square, according to news website iDNES.cz.
The Czech Republic, like other European countries, has been hit by rising inflation that has soared into double digits in the past year and high energy prices that are cutting into household budgets.
Fiala has been also dealing with high budget deficits and caused smaller protests recently for slowing an inflation-linked rise in state pensions.
Recent polling from Kantar for Czech TV saw support for the five-party government slipping, with the main opposition party, ANO of former prime minister, Andrej Babis, extending its lead over Fiala's party to 29 percent compared with 20 percent.
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