Czech protesters demand government to prioritize citizens over Ukraine
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The Czech economy has remained sluggish for a year, and inflation is only gradually declining from record-high annual levels that reached 18% in September 2022.
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People gather for an anti-government demonstration at the Wenceslas Square in Prague, Czech Republic on September 16, 2023. (AP)
Thousands of protesters marched in Prague on Saturday against the Czech government's center-right administration, accusing it of caring more about war-torn Ukraine than its own residents.
On its website, the Non-parliamentary PRO party organizing the demonstration reported 101,662 people attending, while the Czech news agency CTK estimated turnout at under 10,000.
Protesters waved Czech flags and urged right-wing Prime Minister Petr Fiala's administration to resign, while also lamenting the EU member's economic slump.
The Czech economy has remained sluggish for a year, and inflation is only gradually declining from record-high annual levels that reached 18% in September 2022.
In Prague's central Wenceslas Square, one protester, Hana Smolikova, told AFP, "I'm here for the children, because that's our future, and I'm afraid of the future," adding that she was worried by the high prices "of everything".
Another protester, Pavel Husek, expressed that the government should "stop supporting only Ukraine and start paying attention to their citizens."
Fiala's five-party coalition government has offered millions in military help to Ukraine since the war began.
At the Czechia Against Government event, police also reported detaining someone wearing the Wagner group emblem.
Prague is not the only city to protest its country's involvement in Ukraine. In January, hundreds took part in a protest organized by the Polish patriotic organization "Compatriots – Comrades" in Warsaw to protest against the country's involvement in the Ukraine. Many also participated in similar protests in Washington in February.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Prague in July, seeking NATO membership and more weapons.
