Thousands of people demonstrate in Prague against the energy crisis

Tens of thousands of Czechs demonstrated in Prague against the government demanding more state aid in the face of rising energy bills, the biggest show of public discontent over the worst cost of living crisis in three decades.

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(Bloomberg) – Tens of thousands of Czechs demonstrated in Prague against the government to demand more state aid in the face of rising energy bills, the biggest show of public discontent over the worst crisis in the cost of energy. life in three decades.

Around 70,000 people filled Wenceslas Square in the center of the Czech capital on Saturday, police estimate, some carrying placards denouncing the country’s membership of the European Union and the NATO military alliance. NATO.

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Czech inflation, driven mainly by soaring housing costs and soaring energy prices, is currently the highest since 1993 and the central bank expects it to peak at around 20% in the coming months. come.

The government said the total amount of state aid would amount to 177 billion crowns ($7.2 billion), or about 3% of the country’s economic output. The package of measures includes pension increases, wage increases for state employees and 66 billion crowns in energy subsidies.

Members of extremist political groups demanding an exit from the EU and NATO, including the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy and the Communist Party, were due to speak at the rally, according to the organizers’ website.

An online petition posted on the website called for securing supplies of cheap natural gas through a direct contract with Russia, military neutrality and more support for Czech companies. He also rejected the permanent settlement of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala, whose cabinet is one of the most active European supporters of Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression, said the protest was organized by pro-Russian sympathizers influenced by Kremlin propaganda. reported the CTK newswire.

(Corrects political party name in fifth paragraph of article first published September 3)