Protesters are calling for a return to previous conditions

Schools in the Czech Republic remained closed on Monday, with trade unions calling for strikes and demonstrations against austerity measures imposed by the government in Prague. Record inflation and rising energy prices have hit the Czech Republic, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has added further pressure.

Last week, President Petr Pavel enacted tax hikes, cuts in allowances and subsidies and pay cuts for state employees, G4media.ro  reports. 

Protesters are calling for a return to previous conditions, with cheaper energy and food and open schools. Hundreds of students have taken part in a demonstration in Prague, expressing concern about government savings in the education sector.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala believes austerity measures are necessary to protect the country's future and rejects the idea of reversing them. Critics accuse the government of poor communication and excessive distribution of humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine as Czechs' living standards fall.

The Czech Republic, heavily dependent on car production and exports to the eurozone, saw its economy shrink in the third quarter. The International Monetary Fund has revised down its forecast for the country, predicting a 0.4% recession this year and 1.2% growth next year.