![Czechs protest price hikes and military aid from Ukraine Czechs protest price hikes and military aid from Ukraine](https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2023.03/article/640dc5d62030275e5278b8e1.png)
Demonstrators in Prague demonstrated against poverty and demanded an end to arms deliveries to Kiev
Thousands of Czechs took to the streets of Prague on Saturday for an anti-government demonstration. Protesters denounced falling living standards and rising prices, but also their government’s continued military support for Ukraine.
Organized by the right-wing Law, Respect, Expertise (PRO) party, the demonstration saw protesters waving Czech flags and banners calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s government. The current Czech cabinet has been criticized for its perceived failure to address the problems posed by rising inflation.
Addressing the crowd, PRO leader Jindrich Rajchl promised: “We will do everything in our power to ensure that the Petr Fiala national catastrophe of this government ends as soon as possible.”
The politician added that the country deserves a new government that “puts the interests of the citizens of the Czech Republic first.”
Other speakers at the rally included at least one sitting senator and one retired senator, as well as a lawyer and a film director.
Concluding the protest, Rajchl warned that unless the government resigns on April 10, there will be another demonstration next month, with participants blocking government buildings.
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After Saturday’s event ended, a group of protesters marched to the National Museum, where they called for the Ukrainian flag to be removed from its facade. According to a police spokesman, several dozen people tried to force their way into the building, leading to scuffles with officers. Local media reported that 18 arrests were made, while two police officers were injured.
Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan condemned the behavior of the protesters.