with VideoIn Italy and the Czech Republic, many tens of thousands of people have protested in recent days against the consequences of the energy crisis that grips the entire European continent.
Edwin van der Aa
Sep 3 2022
Latest update:
22:23
Tens of thousands of Czechs took to the streets in Prague today to express their concern over the energy crisis. They demanded more support from the government to continue paying the bills and groceries. Many demonstrators also carried banners denouncing membership of the European Union and NATO.
Inflation in the Czech Republic is currently the highest since 1993, mainly due to housing costs and energy prices. The central bank even predicts a peak of 20 percent in the coming months. The government has pledged a total of 177 billion kronor (7.2 billion euros) in state aid.
Burn bill
Enraged protesters in Naples, Italy, burned their energy bills and besieged the town hall yesterday. “We don’t pay the bills! Now it’s going to be chaos!” they chanted. Meanwhile, the outgoing Italian government is working on contingency plans to save energy and keep bills low, ministers said last week.
Gas and electricity prices have reached historic highs in Italy and other European countries as Russia, on which Italy relies heavily for gas, has curtailed supplies in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
Purchasing Power Repair Package
There is also a lot of social unrest in the Netherlands about the increased energy prices. To somewhat compensate for the screeching inflation, a purchasing power repair package of 15 billion euros in the making, especially aimed at low-income and middle-income earners. The package will be officially presented on Prinsjesdag.
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