Czech Republic: Thousands stage anti-government protests in Prague

Czech Republic's capital city saw over two lakh people come out to take part in anti-government protests on November 16. 'Million Moments for Democracy', the group which organised the pretest has been urging Prime Minister Andrej Babis to resign. The demonstrators alleged that Babis utilised European Union subsidies for his private business. The event's organiser and the leader of the social movement Million Moments for Democracy, Mikulas Minar, said that the rally is against the conflict of interests of the businessman and Prime Minister Babis.

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Everyone has their right to participate in demonstrations: Babis

Minar has called for the Prime Minister to either get rid of agricultural and media groups belonging to him or resign from the post of the Prime Minister. Babis said that everyone has their right to participate in demonstrations and rallies against whom they want and where they want as they have their freedom and democracy. He further added that he does not really understand the motives of the conduction of the recent rally. According to the reports, he said that organisers have simply tried to take advantage of the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution that brought an end to decades of communist rule in the country. According to international media reports, the protests took place a day ahead of the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the Velvet Revolution.

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Babis accused of corruption and intimidating his rivals

It was a series of non-violent mass protests that led to the overthrow of communism in Czech. The Prime Minister has been accused of corruption and intimidating his rivals. Babis was required to transfer ownership of his business which includes a conglomerate of 250 companies and two major newspapers. Babis refuses of any wrongdoing and said there is no such absolute reason for him to resign.

Babis won the parliamentary election in October 2017 but his government lost a confidence vote in January 2018 and collapsed. President Milos Zeman asked him to form the government again. The organizers are expected to announce a new wave of protests in January if Babis does not meet their demands.

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(With inputs from ANI)