Czech Social Democrats celebrate May Day

The Social Democrats (CSSD) have been fighting for the rights of the working people for 140 years, party leader Jan Hamacek said at the party's traditional May Day celebrations in Prague on Tuesday. This year, the CSSD celebrates 140 years of its existence and also 128 years since the first May Day celebrations in Prague, at which the eight-hour work day had been demanded, Hamacek said. "Since then, many things have been achieved. Along with trade unions and other associations the Social Democrats have pushed through what is now called the welfare state," Hamacek said. Hamacek said that although the eight-hour work day seemed to be granted today, it was necessary to continue with the Social Democrat policy.