Andrej Babiš, the self-proclaimed billionaire that won last month's Czech election, has refused to offload his extensive business interests, while insisting he will address a conflict of interest that could block him from assuming the role of prime minister.
Babiš, whose political movement came first in the autumn election but lacked a parliamentary majority, declared in a online statement that he will not divest his Agrofert conglomerate, which operates in agriculture, food production, and chemicals.
“I have repeatedly said I will never sell Agrofert. I have consistently said I will address the conflict of interest in accordance with national and EU regulations,” Babiš remarked. “This is different from selling a roll in a bakery.”
The Czech president, Petr Pavel, announced that the 71-year-old political figure must clarify openly how he will eliminate ethical conflicts stemming from his corporate dealings before being appointed prime minister.
The national charter “clearly mandates the head of state to take into account the possible emergence of a ethical issue and the ways to address it” when selecting government ministers, the presidential administration explained.
The president “expects clarity in what precise manner Andrej Babiš will meet his constitutional and legal obligations”, the statement said, stating that Pavel was ready to appoint Babiš as premier “without delay” once the matter was resolved.
Babiš's numerous firms, mostly under the Agrofert umbrella, function in the nation and other central European countries, benefiting from millions of euros in national and EU agricultural and other subsidies, as well as government deals.
Under Czech law, cabinet members are barred from receiving state support or contracts. The anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International has stated that to avoid a conflict of interest, Babiš must either sell, refuse public contracts, or not enter government.
Babiš said he would “abide by the regulations” if selected as prime minister, but declined to explain how in advance because the matter was “an extremely sensitive and private affair for me, and the media will invariably criticise me anyway”.
During his first term as prime minister, from 2017 to 2021, Babiš faced multiple legal battles and an EU investigation over potential conflicts of interest. He temporarily moved his holdings into trust funds, while keeping certain control over them.
A court and the European Commission both determined that this did not suffice. Babiš stated last month that he was again the sole owner of Agrofert and maintained he was “taking steps” to avoid a ethical problem, but refused to disclose specifics.
The billionaire populist has concluded a coalition agreement with two minor right-leaning groups, the ultra-conservative, Russia-friendly SPD, which has called for a referendum on exiting the EU, and the Motorists for Themselves, which has mainly opposed the EU’s environmental policy.
The new government, if approved, is expected to bolster the populist bloc in central and eastern Europe and might strain backing from Western nations for Ukraine – although Babiš has contacted Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to confirm of the nation's backing.
Pavel, who as head of state has a role for international relations, also requested that the government agenda include a statement on the government’s position on the conflict in Ukraine, including a commitment to fulfilling alliance duties.
The president has earlier said he would not endorse any cabinet candidates who might doubt the Czech Republic’s EU and Nato commitments, a requirement that the ultra-conservative party has said it will meet by nominating non-partisan experts.
A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in gaming strategies and industry trends.
