Tens of thousands of Czechs have rallied in Prague against the government of billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, slamming it for "arrogance of power".
Tens of thousands of Czechs rallied on Saturday in the country's biggest anti-government demonstration since 2019, protesting against the policies and plans of the new Czech government led by populist Andrej Babiš.
Babis, who returned to office last December, leads a three-party nationalist cabinet comprising his catch-all ANO party, the far-right SPD and the rightwing eurosceptic Motorists.
An estimated 200,000 turned out on Saturday in Letná park – the scene of huge gatherings in 1989 that greatly contributed to the fall of communism.
The Million Moments for Democracy movement, who organised Saturday's protest, has slammed the government for "playing down" threats from Russia invading Ukraine since 2022 and steering the country towards an autocratic path.
People in the crowd waved Czech national flags, while one of the banners on display read: “Let’s defend democracy".
“We’re here to clearly stand against dragging our country onto the path of Slovakia and Hungary,” said Mikuláš Minář, the head organiser from the Million Moments for Democracy group, referring to the pro-Russia and autocratic leanings of those two countries.
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Growing 'arrogance of power'
The movement has also challenged the government's plans to gain control over public media in the Czech Republic – an EU and NATO member of 10.9 million people.
"The arrogance of power is growing and extreme politicians are taking our country hostage," it said on Facebook.
Protesters also criticised Babiš and Tomio Okamura, the SPD chairman and parliament speaker, for retaining their immunity as lawmakers to avoid trial in criminal cases.
Babiš is facing a $2 million fraud case involving EU subsidies, while Okamura has been charged with inciting hatred.
The Million Moments group said that those decisions divide the nation into two categories: “the ordinary people and the untouchables".
It promised further protests.
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(with newswires)
