In the Largest Protests in Decades, Czechs Demand Resignation of Prime Minister

[riversedge]

Source: nytimes




June 23, 2019

PRAGUE — In the largest demonstration in the Czech Republic since it won its independence from the Soviet Union in 1989, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday evening calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

The police and the interior ministry estimated that by 5 p.m., more than 200,000 people had arrived for the demonstrations, with thousands more still making their way to Letna Park, which sits on a hill high above the banks of the Vltava river and has commanding views of the old town.

Known around the world for its baroque architecture, Gothic churches and famed spires, the Czech capital was a sea of European Union and Czech flags, with parents bringing their children to the same place where in 1989, some 750,000 people protested before declaring a general nationwide strike on Nov. 27, 1989.

“We want to bring decency and commitment to the public service back to the Czech Republic,” said Magdalena Kascak, 39. “I am not sure they will resign but it will at least shine light at the public discontent and help energize the society.”.........................................

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/23/world/europe/czech-republic-protests-andrej-babis.html

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https://time.com/5612911/protest-prague-babis-resign/

Massive Protest in Prague Calls for Prime Minister Andrej Babis to Resign

czech republic






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Image Protesters gathering Sunday in Prague, calling for Prime Minister Andrej Babis to step down.
Protesters gathering Sunday in Prague, calling for Prime Minister Andrej Babis to step down.CreditCreditMichal Cizek/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images




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The demonstration on Sunday reflected Czechs’ growing anger over what many people see as Mr. Babis’s effort to pervert the legal system to protect himself.CreditPetr David Josek/Associated Press









Massive Protest in Prague Calls for Prime Minister Andrej Babis to Resign

https://time.com/5612911/protest-prague-babis-resign/

By Associated Press 3:25 PM EDT

(PRAGUE) — The biggest anti-government protest in Prague since the 1989 pro-democratic Velvet Revolution is underway as Czechs urge Prime Minister Andrej Babis to resign.

Protesters came to the capital from all corners of the Czech Republic to attend Sunday’s demonstration, the most massive of recent street protests opposing Babis.


The demonstrators see the populist billionaire as a threat to democracy, including the independence of the country’s legal system.

The protesters also are demanding the resignation of Babis’ new justice minister. They say the minister might compromise the legal system as prosecutors consider whether to indict Babis on fraud charges involving European Union funds.....................................

[democratisphere]

1. Hey! We can do this too!

[riversedge]

3. Wish someone would organize a GET RID OF VILE TRUMP RALLY!

[riversedge]

2. "Babis's effort to pervert the legal system to protect himself."---just like Trump!!.....

The demonstration on Sunday reflected Czechs’ growing anger over what many people see as Mr. Babis’s effort to pervert the legal system to protect himself.CreditPetr David Josek/Associated Press

Meanwhile, an audit by the European Commission, unrelated to the police investigation, that was made public this month found that Mr. Babis’s impartiality over the distribution of European Union funds — first when he served as finance minister and later when he became prime minister — was fundamentally compromised.

His company stood to gain from the subsidies, the audit found, and even though he divorced himself from the sprawling enterprise’s daily operations, he also stood to profit.

Mr. Babis said the audit was flawed and vowed to fight the findings.

The mood at the rally on Sunday was calm and peaceful, but disgust with the government was the overwhelming sentiment......................