Thousands protest over rising inflation

Tens of thousands of Czechs protested in Prague against the government to demand more state help with rising energy bills, the largest manifestation of public discontent over the worst cost-of-living crisis in three decades.

About 70,000 people filled Wenceslas Square in the center of the Czech capital on Saturday, according to police estimates, with some carrying signs denouncing the country's membership of the European Union and the NATO military alliance.

Czech inflation, driven mainly by surging housing costs and spiking energy prices, is currently the highest since 1993 and the central bank forecasts it to peak at around 20 percent in the coming months.

Michal Kamaryt/CTK/TNS Police estimate 70,000 protesters filled Wenceslas Square on Saturday in Prague, Czech Republic, demanding relief from rising energy bills in the worst inflation in three decades.