Rally urging Czech PM to resign ahead of Velvet Revolution anniversary

Around 200,000 attended the event, according to police, but organizers pegged the turnout at 250,000. (Credit: AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

At least 200,000 people rallied in Prague on Saturday calling for the Czech Republic's prime minister, Andrej Babis, to resign over allegations of graft, amid growing discontent in the deeply divided nation.

The demonstration was held on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which led to the collapse of the former Czechoslovakia, just weeks after the Berlin Wall fell.

Protesters gathered at Letna Park, a site of massive gatherings during the revolution in 1989.

The Czech Republic's prime minister Andrej Babis' populist ANO party remains by far the most popular but also the most divisive political force in the country. (Credit: Julien Warnand, Pool Photo via AP)

Demonstrators accuse populist billionaire Babis of being a threat to democracy and the country's legal system.

They want him to get rid of his business and media empire by the end of the year or resign.

The prime minister, who is not expected to step down, said he has resolved any issues by moving his assets to trust funds.

Many in the crowd chanted "we are here," echoing the cry from 30 years ago during the protests that propelled Vaclav Havel into office. (Credit: Michal Cizek / AFP)

Protesters also rallied against Czech president Milos Zeman, accusing him of being unfit for office.

Zeman described the protests as undemocratic because they fail to respect a decision to drop fraud charges against Babis and parliament's rejection of calls for his own impeachment.

Both Zeman and Babis have kept a low profile in the lead up to Sunday's anniversary.

Source(s): Reuters ,AP