Holding Czech flags and placards lampooning the prime minister, the crowd cheered as a succession of speakers called Babiš, a tycoon who is the country’s second richest man, a threat to democracy. Speeches came from a podium close to the Czech interior ministry, which doubled as an interrogation centre for political dissidents during the communist regime. Sunday’s protest – the fifth Prague has seen against Babiš since April – was driven by concerns over conflicts between his political and business interests. One audit suggested that the Czech Republic would have to repay €17m (£15.2m) in improperly obtained subsidies. “In the longer run, maybe six, seven or eight months, they can some consequences, maybe resignation, maybe the fall of the cabinet.”

Source: The Guardian June 23, 2019 18:22 UTC