This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48737467

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Czech Republic protests: Andrej Babis urged to quit as PM Czech Republic protests: Andrej Babis urged to quit as PM
(about 3 hours later)
Protesters are gathering in Prague to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Andrej Babis. Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Prague demanding that PM Andrej Babis resign.
Mr Babis is facing a criminal investigation over alleged fraud, and is also the subject of an EU conflict-of-interest investigation. He denies the allegations.Mr Babis is facing a criminal investigation over alleged fraud, and is also the subject of an EU conflict-of-interest investigation. He denies the allegations.
On 5 June, some 120,000 people marched in the capital. Organisers say about 250,000 people attended the rally. The figure could not be verified.
Organisers are expecting the largest protest since the fall of communism in 1989. It is said to be the largest protest since the fall of communism in 1989.
Who is marching?Who is marching?
The protest is organised by the Million Moments for Democracy group. The movement has grown from a small student initiative into a mass movement. The protest was organised by the Million Moments for Democracy group. The movement has grown from a small student initiative into a mass movement.
It has organised a number of protests this year. The last major rally was on 5 June. It has organised a number of protests this year. The last major rally was on 5 June when 120,000 people marched in the capital.
Benjamin Roll, a member of the group, told the Associated Press news agency: "It's a shame that our political situation is in such a state that something like this has to happen. At the rally, Mikulas Minar, the head of the protest group, told AFP news agency: "Judging from the aerial photos, it looks like we're about 250,000. We'll see how many more will arrive."
"On the other hand, I'm glad that we are succeeding in mobilising the civil society." What are the allegations against Babis?
Why are the allegations against Babis?
The prime minister is facing a criminal investigation in the Czech Republic for alleged abuse of €2m in EU subsidies over 10 years ago.The prime minister is facing a criminal investigation in the Czech Republic for alleged abuse of €2m in EU subsidies over 10 years ago.
Police say they are investigating accusations that Mr Babis hid his ownership of a farm and conference centre known as "Stork Nest" (Capi hnizdo in Czech) so that it could qualify for an EU subsidy designed to help small businesses.Police say they are investigating accusations that Mr Babis hid his ownership of a farm and conference centre known as "Stork Nest" (Capi hnizdo in Czech) so that it could qualify for an EU subsidy designed to help small businesses.
The billionaire is also the subject of an EU conflict-of-interest investigation over his Agrofert conglomerate, which he transferred to two trust funds shortly before he came to power in 2017.The billionaire is also the subject of an EU conflict-of-interest investigation over his Agrofert conglomerate, which he transferred to two trust funds shortly before he came to power in 2017.
However a European Commission draft report leaked earlier this month found that Mr Babis was still profiting from the group. The report determined that he should return about 451m Czech koruna (€17.5m; £15.5m) in subsidies.However a European Commission draft report leaked earlier this month found that Mr Babis was still profiting from the group. The report determined that he should return about 451m Czech koruna (€17.5m; £15.5m) in subsidies.
Mr Babis has dismissed all of the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.Mr Babis has dismissed all of the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
A day after police advised that the state prosecutor file charges against him, the minister of justice was changed.A day after police advised that the state prosecutor file charges against him, the minister of justice was changed.
Demonstrators argue that the new Minister of Justice, Marie Benesova, is too close to Mr Babis.Demonstrators argue that the new Minister of Justice, Marie Benesova, is too close to Mr Babis.
The 71-year-old previously voted against a request from the police to strip Mr Babis of parliamentary immunity.The 71-year-old previously voted against a request from the police to strip Mr Babis of parliamentary immunity.
How has the prime minister reacted?How has the prime minister reacted?
Mr Babis branded the EU report as "an attack on the Czech Republic" and has refused to return any subsidies.Mr Babis branded the EU report as "an attack on the Czech Republic" and has refused to return any subsidies.
He said: "The Czech Republic will certainly not have to return any subsidies. There is no reason for that because I do not violate Czech nor European legal rules regarding conflict of interest."He said: "The Czech Republic will certainly not have to return any subsidies. There is no reason for that because I do not violate Czech nor European legal rules regarding conflict of interest."
Mr Babis has also refused to step down.Mr Babis has also refused to step down.