The protesters, estimated to be 70,000, also voiced opposition to the European Union and the Western military alliance, NATO, Reuters reported.
According to the news agency, the demonstrators urged the Czech government to be neutral militarily and ensure direct contracts with gas suppliers, including Russia, arguing that the issue of energy prices, especially electricity and gas, will destroy their economy this autumn.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala, whose government survived a no-confidence vote on Friday amid opposition claims of inaction against inflation and energy prices, reacted to the protest in central Prague.
He said that the demonstration had been called by “forces that are pro-Russian, are close to extreme positions and are against the interests of the Czech Republic.”
The demonstration was the latest show of public anger in Europe over energy prices that have spiked recently in the wake of the West’s dispute with Russia over the Ukraine war.
Rallies and strikes have taken place during what is described as the summer of discontent over the soaring prices that have sent inflation to levels unseen in the last several decades.
Russia in recent months has reduced gas flow to a number of European countries, including Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Poland and the Netherlands, after they failed to pay for their imports in the Russian currency.
Moscow demanded them pay in ruble after Europe along with the US imposed sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine.
4194**2050
Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish
Your Comment