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Demonstrators with Ukrainian flags and candles in Prague
Photo: MARTIN DIVISEK / EPA
Thousands of people took to the streets in the Czech capital of Prague on Sunday to take a stand against populimism and extremism.
The demonstrators converged on Prague's main square - the place where two days earlier far-right movements and fringe groups had gathered for a rally.
On Sunday, protesters waved Czech and Ukrainian flags to show their support for Ukraine's war against Russia - and to set a counterpoint to Friday, when those gathered opposed the European Union and NATO and favored direct talks over gas supplies between Prague and Moscow demanded.
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The Czech Republic currently holds the EU Council Presidency.
The five-party coalition led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala has supported Ukraine in defending itself against Russia with humanitarian and military aid and has taken in around 400,000 war refugees from Ukraine.
At the same time, the country has so far been heavily dependent on Russian gas.
Energy prices are currently rising across Europe because the EU is buying far less natural gas from Russia because of the war in Ukraine.
Inflation in the Czech Republic reached 18 percent in September.
Around 70,000 people demonstrated against the government in Prague in September.
Shortly before, Fiala's cabinet had survived a vote of confidence in parliament requested by ex-Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's populist ANO party and a right-wing extremist party.
On Sunday, the Czechs positioned themselves with signs in downtown Prague: "Czech Republic against fear" and "We can do it" said it.
The group 'Million Moments for Democracy' declared: 'We will not allow Russia to drag us or the whole world into darkness.
Darkness will never prevail.
As long as people don't turn a blind eye to war, our light will never go out.«
nil/AFP/Reuters