PM Fiala: opposition’s criticism of government aims to turn people against refugees

The opposition’s claims that the government is forgetting about Czech citizens because of its aid to migrants is an attempt to turn Czech society against the refugees, Prime Minister Petr Fiala told journalists in Brussels on Friday, the second day of the European Council meeting. According to Mr. Fiala, by helping Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion, the government is also indirectly helping Czech citizens.

When assessing the first 100 days of Mr. Fiala’s coalition cabinet, former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and leader of the opposition ANO party said the cabinet must not forget its own citizens over the aid to Ukrainians. He also said that Czechs were sinking into poverty due to the current government’s lack of action.