Tens of thousands of people flooded the streets of Prague over the weekend to protest against the Czech government’s handling of the energy crisis.
Over 70,000 protesters marched in the capital, demanding that the ruling coalition takes a neutral stance on the Ukraine war to ensure energy supplies from Russia aren’t cut off ahead of winter.
Protesters are outraged at the European Union for sanctions against Russia that have sparked soaring electricity bills and triggered a cost-of-living crisis.
“The aim of our demonstration is to demand change, mainly in solving the issue of energy prices, especially electricity and gas, which will destroy our economy this autumn,” event organizer Jiri Havel told local news iDNES, according to Reuters.
The protest was held at Wenceslas Square in the heart of the capital.
“The entire Wenceslas Square demands the resignation of the government! We will demand that the current cabinet, which is working against us, resign”: A 70,000-strong rally was held in Prague Also demand lower gas and electricity prices and neutrality on the conflict in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/dDGJb650yM
— Dagny Taggart (@DagnyTaggart369) September 3, 2022
The uprising comes one day after the Czech government survived a no-confidence vote.
The opposition is accusing the government of inaction to protect citizens against inflation and energy hyperinflation.
The vote showed how Europe’s energy crisis is fuelling political instability as soaring power prices stoke inflation, already at levels unseen in three decades.
Europe is on the brink
Over 70000 people came out in support of Russia in Prague and are forcing the Govt to resign for supporting Ukraine pic.twitter.com/lwMAjkBM2U
— Mahesh 🇮🇳 (@Mahesh10816) September 3, 2022
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed displeasure at the protests and said the protesters did not have the country’s best interests at heart.
“The protest on Wenceslas Square was called by forces that are pro-Russian, are close to extreme positions, and are against the interests of the Czech Republic,” Fiala said.
Western sanctions are backfiring and some Europeans are awakening to how their governments sacrificed their livelihoods for NATO’s proxy fight against Russia in Ukraine.
What’s happening in Prague could spread like wildfire throughout the EU.
