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Mass demonstration in Prague
Photo: IMAGO/Michal Kamaryt / IMAGO/CTK Photo
The Czech government takes a clear stance against the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
But many people in the country do not want to support the course.
Now tens of thousands of people have demonstrated in Prague against the liberal-conservative government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
On the central Wenceslas Square, the organizers demanded the resignation of the cabinet and an end to the sanctions against Russia because of the Ukraine war.
They also spoke out in favor of military neutrality, even though the Czech Republic is a NATO member.
At the beginning of the event, under the motto »Czech Republic first«, a band considered to be right-wing extremists played the national anthem.
The Prague economics professor Miroslav Sevcik was one of the main speakers.
He claimed that the sanctions against Russia would hurt the West itself the most.
The German AfD MEP Christine Anderson had a guest appearance.
"Your fight is my fight," said the 54-year-old.
There were also smaller rallies in Brünn (Brno) and Ostrava.
The Czech government had recently come under pressure because of the high energy prices.
It recently responded with a relief package that included electricity and gas price caps for households and small consumers.
The cabinet provided subsidies amounting to the equivalent of 1.2 billion euros for large-scale consumers from industry.
In Germany's neighboring country, the high energy prices, which have risen again as a result of the Russian war against Ukraine, are just as much an issue as in Germany.
Around 70,000 people took to the streets in Prague in early September to protest.
The cabinet responded with an electricity and gas price cap.
The Czech Republic currently holds the EU Council Presidency and thus assumes an important mediating role in Europe.
mrc/dpa