Protest against Health Minister David Rath

Two thousand people have marched through Prague in protest against Health Minister David Rath's policies. The march, attended by doctors, dentists, pharmacists and nurses, was meant to end a week of protest actions by those who disagree with recent reform measures made to the healthcare sector. Critics of Rath's policies warn against what they see as the nationalization of healthcare. Organizers of Friday's march dressed a live donkey in a red bow-tie, characteristic of those that Minister Rath wears, and marched through Prague to the Office of the Government with the donkey leading the way. Minister Rath says that the campaign against his policies is directed by the opposition Civic Democrats, in an effort to discredit him prior to next weekend's elections.