Police estimated the crowd in Prague’s central Wenceslas Square to be around 70,000. Some of the groups represented at the demonstration included the largest anti-immigrant populist party Freedom and Direct Democracy and the Communist Party. Protesters have called for the resignation of the current coalition government led by conservative Prime Minister Petr Fiala, criticizing it on a range of issues, including its Western policies. They condemned the government for backing sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine and accused it of being unable to deal with rising energy prices. Protesters also criticized NATO and the European Union and the 27-nation bloc’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate neutrality. The country belongs to both organizations. Fiala said everyone has a right to protest, but said those protesting were expressing pro-Russian views “that are not in the interests of the Czech Republic and our citizens.” The Czech Republic has consistently supported Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and has donated weapons, including heavy weapons, to the Ukrainian armed forces. The government plans to call an emergency meeting of EU countries next week to seek a unified approach to the energy crisis. The Czech Republic currently holds the bloc’s rotating presidency.
