Foreign Policy magazine noted that electricity bills have almost doubled over the past year, the population of these countries is experiencing more and more doubts about the willingness of the authorities to influence the situationWASHINGTON, October 5.
/tass/. The Czech Republic and Slovakia may abandon the course of supporting Ukraine due to rising energy prices and the resulting protests of the population. This opinion was expressed on Tuesday by the American magazine Foreign Policy.
"The Czech Republic and Slovakia are on the front line of the energy war. The threat of internal political instability is intensifying as prices rise and fears spread about the lack of resources in the coming winter, the magazine notes. "Despite the fact that Ukraine's support remains strong now, there is a risk that these factors will weaken it." Tens of thousands of people took part in a demonstration in Prague on September 28, demanding social support measures from the government in the face of the energy crisis, the publication recalls.
The countries of Central and Eastern Europe are most dependent on the supply of Russian energy resources, the article says. Last year, Russia accounted for 55% of gas supplies to the Czech Republic, 68% to Slovakia. These states are now actively looking for other sources of energy resources. But these efforts may not be enough to reduce dependence on Russian gas supplies, the publication believes. "Therefore, the region predicts a restriction of fuel consumption, the closure of industrial enterprises and a deep economic downturn," writes Foreign Policy. The magazine points out that electricity bills have almost doubled over the past year, and inflation figures are measured in double digits. And the population is experiencing more and more doubts about the readiness of the authorities to influence the situation.
This state of affairs is actively used by the opposition, which is trying to attract voters dissatisfied with the policies of governments to its side, the magazine notes. In the Czech Republic, opposition political forces are calling for ending support for Ukraine and resuming negotiations with Russia on gas supplies, the newspaper writes.
