Czech protesters rally against government’s pro-Western policies

Thousands of supporters of a pro-Russian Czech opposition party gathered in Prague on Saturday to protest against the country’s centre-right government, criticising its economic management and military support for Ukraine.
The protest was called by the PRO movement, which is not represented in parliament and has taken a nationalist, pro-Moscow and anti-Western line.
News agency CTK estimated the turnout at about 10,000 people, smaller than a similar event a year ago which took place at the height of Europe’s energy price surge.
“We made another step today to move out of the way the rock that is the government of Mr (Prime Minister Petr) Fiala,” PRO leader Jindrich Raichl told the crowd in Prague’s Wenceslas Square.
“They are agents of foreign powers, people who fulfil orders, ordinary puppets. And I do not want a puppet government any more,” Raichl said, saying the Czech Republic should veto any attempt by Ukraine to join NATO.