Iran Press/ Europe: About a quarter of a million Czechs gathered on the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, that brought an end to decades of communist rule in the country, to give Prime Minister Andrej Babis an ultimatum to sell his business or quit his job.
Protesters from across the Czech Republic attended Saturday’s demonstration, the second massive protest opposing Babis at Letna park, the scene of massive gatherings in 1989 that greatly contributed to the fall of communism.
Police estimated some 250,000 people attended the demonstration.
Babis’ movement won the parliamentary election on October 2017, but his first minority government lost a confidence vote in January 2018 and had to resign.
Angry Czechs demanded PM's resignation on Jun 24
The demonstrators have given Babis a deadline of Dec. 31 to get rid of his business and media empire or resign.
Babis was required to transfer ownership of his businesses that includes a conglomerate of some 250 companies and two major newspapers to two trust funds in February 2017.
But his critics, including Transparency International, say he still maintains control and a preliminary European Union report leaked to media concluded the same, saying Babis is in a position to influence the EU subsidies companies receive.
The organizers are set to announce a new wave of protests on Jan. 7 if Babis doesn’t meet their demands. 207
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Angry Czechs largest protest since communism demand PM's resignation
