PRAGUE: Thousands of people gathered in Prague to participate in a rally against the center-right Czech government, expressing their discontent with the government’s handling of economic issues and priorities. The protest also featured calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Petr Fiala and highlighted concerns about the country’s focus on supporting Ukraine amid its own challenges.
Organized by the non-parliamentary PRO party, the rally drew a significant number of participants, with varying estimates of attendance. While the party claimed over 100,000 attendees on its website, the Czech news agency CTK reported a figure of approximately 10,000 protesters.
Demonstrators at the rally waved Czech flags and voiced their frustrations with the current government. Many criticized the economic situation in the country, which has experienced stagnation for a year, coupled with stubbornly high inflation levels that reached a peak of 18 percent in September 2022.
Concerns About Future and Inflation in Czech
Protester Hana Smolikova expressed concerns about the future and the impact of soaring prices on daily life, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues for the sake of the younger generation.
Another protester, Pavel Husek, called for the government to shift its priorities, suggesting that it should focus more on the welfare of its own citizens rather than solely supporting Ukraine.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s five-party coalition government has been actively involved in providing humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. The government’s commitment to assisting Ukraine has garnered both support and criticism from various segments of the population.
During the rally, Prague police detained a man wearing the logo associated with the Wagner group of Russian mercenaries, known for its involvement in various conflicts. The event, titled “Czechia Against Government,” reflects the growing concerns and sentiments among Czech citizens regarding their country’s economic challenges and priorities in the face of broader regional and global issues.
