Prague – Thousands protest against Babis government ahead of elections

PRAGUE, Sept 28 /ATSH-DPA/ – Thousands of people protested in Prague today against the government of Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, which the protesters criticize for its right-wing and populist positions, as ATSH reports citing DPA.

The protest was organized by the “A Million Moments for Democracy” movement, which accused the government of not doing enough for the country’s security and the fight against disinformation.

The movement’s leader, Mikulas Minar, said the danger posed by Russia should not be underestimated and that Czechia should not act as if this danger does not affect it.

The protest took place at the Old Town Square in Prague.

Participants carried the flags of Czechia, Ukraine and the European Union.

Organizers called on citizens to take part in the local elections and in the elections for a third of the Czech Senate, held on October 9 and 10, urging them not to vote for populist and extremist parties.

Criticism of Babis

Protesters also raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest involving Babis, who is the founder of a large business group.

Although he has placed his assets in a trust fund, the issue continues to draw criticism.

Another point of contention is the government’s plan to fund public media directly from the state budget.

Babis has also been criticized for his recent statements about the judiciary.

He has spoken of “an organized group that jails people to order” and accused judges of handing down rulings without evidence.

Bar and judges’ associations have described these statements as an attack on the justice system.

The Czech government has been led since December by a coalition made up of Babis’s ANO movement and two other right-wing parties: Motorists for Themselves and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD).

In the European Parliament, ANO is part of the “Patriots for Europe” group, which also includes France’s National Rally and Hungary’s Fidesz.