🔗 Share this article Czech Republic's 'Trumpist' PM-Elect Refuses to Sell Corporate Holdings Amid Conflict-of-Interest Row Andrej Babiš, the self-proclaimed tycoon that won last month's Czech election, has refused to sell his extensive corporate assets, while insisting he will resolve a ethical dilemma that might prevent him from assuming the role of prime minister. Position on Corporate Empire Babiš, whose political movement emerged victorious in the October vote but did not secure a parliamentary majority, stated in a online statement that he would not divest his Agrofert group, which operates in farming, food processing, and chemicals. “I have consistently stated I will not sell Agrofert. I have consistently stated I will resolve the ethical issue in accordance with national and EU regulations,” the billionaire remarked. “This is different from selling a roll in a bakery.” President's Requirement The Czech president, Petr Pavel, announced that the 71-year-old populist must clarify openly how he will remove conflicts of interest arising from his business activities before assuming the role of prime minister. The national charter “explicitly requires the president to consider the possible emergence of a ethical issue and the ways to address it” when appointing government ministers, the presidential administration noted. The president “expects clarity in what precise manner Andrej Babiš will fulfil his constitutional and legal obligations”, the announcement said, noting that Pavel was prepared to designate Babiš as premier “immediately” once the issue was resolved. Corporate Activities and Regulatory Concerns Babiš's several hundred firms, mostly under the Agrofert group, function in the Czech Republic and other central European states, receiving millions of euros in domestic and European agricultural and other grants, as well as government deals. Under Czech law, cabinet members are barred from obtaining state support or contracts. The anti-corruption organization Transparency International has stated that to avoid a ethical breach, Babiš must either divest, decline government deals, or not enter public office. Previous Term and Present Plans Babiš affirmed he would “abide by the regulations” if selected as premier, but did not want to explain how in advance because the matter was “an extremely sensitive and private affair for me, and journalists will always criticise me regardless”. During his first term as prime minister, from 2017 to 2021, Babiš faced several court cases and an European inquiry over possible conflicts of interest. He temporarily moved his assets into fiduciary arrangements, while keeping some influence over them. A judicial body and the EU executive both determined that this was insufficient. Babiš stated recently that he was once more the sole owner of Agrofert and maintained he was “taking steps” to prevent a ethical problem, but refused to disclose details. Coalition Agreement and International Implications The wealthy politician has signed a governing pact with two minor right-leaning groups, the ultra-conservative, pro-Russian SPD, which has called for a public vote on exiting the EU, and the Motorists for Themselves, which has mainly campaigned against the EU’s Green Deal. The new government, if confirmed, is likely to bolster the populist bloc in the region and might strain western support for Ukraine – even though Babiš has called Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to confirm of the nation's backing. Pavel, who as president has a role for international relations, also demanded that the coalition’s programme include a declaration on the government’s position on the conflict in Ukraine, including a commitment to fulfilling Nato obligations. The president has previously stated 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.