Thousands of Czechs turn out for anti-government protest

On Sunday, thousands of Czechs protested high energy and inflation in Prague’s central square, demanding for the government to resign.

“Czechia against poverty” protesters were not estimated by police.

The non-parliamentary political group PRO, which organized a similar rally in March, has criticized Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s centre-right administration for its handling of Europe’s energy issue since Russia invaded Ukraine over a year ago.

PRO has also criticized the government for restricting free expression in an effort to counter disinformation and called for peace in the Ukraine war, denied being pro-Russian.

“Collect the last remnants of your honour, realize that you are not up to the job, and resign,” PRO leader Jindrich Rajchl addressed the audience that filled half of Prague’s Wenceslas Square, according to news website iDNES.cz.

Protesters planned to march to the government headquarters.

Inflation has reached double digits in the Czech Republic and energy prices are straining household finances.

Fiala has sought to reduce the burden on families and enterprises while simultaneously reducing budget deficits and slowing an inflation-linked boost in state pensions, which sparked smaller demonstrations.

Kantar for Czech TV survey showed support for the five-party coalition declining with the major opposition party, ANO of former prime minister Andrej Babis, increasing its lead over Fiala’s party to 29% from 20%.