Czech trade unions call off protest demonstration so as “not to raise tensions”

The umbrella trade union organization of Bohemia and Moravia has called off a planned protest against the government's pension reform and changes to the Labour Code. Representatives of the union said they did not want to raise tensions in the country, considering Wednesday's assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The union said it had cancelled the demonstration after consultations with its Slovak colleagues.  At the same time, the union called on Prime Minister Petr Fiala to address the problems that the protest aimed to highlight. The prime minister has welcomed the move saying the government is ready to return to the negotiating table.