Czech billionaire and ANO party leader Andrej Babis has signaled he will publicly outline how he intends to manage his extensive business empire before being appointed Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. The move aims to satisfy President Petr Pavel and address longstanding concerns over conflicts of interest in government.

Background: ANO Victory and Government Formation

Following the October 3–4 parliamentary elections, Babis’s ANO party emerged as the leading force and is negotiating a coalition with two smaller right-wing parties, including the far-right, anti-EU SPD.

Despite his controversial political alignment and connections with figures like Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Babis has pledged to keep the Czech Republic firmly within the European Union and NATO, while voicing skepticism on certain EU climate and migration policies.

Babis’s Business Empire and Legal Challenges

Babis owns hundreds of companies across central Europe, ranging from farming, chemicals, and healthcare, many of which receive national and EU subsidies or public contracts. Under Czech law, such holdings are incompatible with government office unless properly managed.

He has stated he will retain his primary holding, Agrofert, while complying with Czech and EU regulations. However, he has not yet disclosed the precise method of compliance. On Wednesday, President Pavel stressed that Babis must clarify his intentions before formal appointment.

“If the president wishes so, then I will say it publicly,” Babis told local media. “I think the course of action should be that I reveal the solution immediately before (the president) appoints me.”

Past Conflicts of Interest

Babis previously served as Prime Minister from 2017 to 2021, during which his overlapping business interests sparked repeated concerns. Czech courts and the European Commission later ruled that his prior solution—placing firms in trust funds—did not fully resolve the conflicts of interest.

Legal experts and anti-corruption activists argue that a legitimate path for Babis would be to either:

• Sell his firms,
• Step away from government, or
• Renounce all EU and national subsidies and public contracts.

His next steps will be closely monitored by Czech authorities, EU regulators, and transparency advocates.

Outlook: Political and Economic Implications

As Babis moves to finalize his approach, his handling of Agrofert and other holdings could shape not only his political future but also investor confidence in the Czech market. Any perceived loophole could provoke renewed scrutiny from both national watchdogs and EU institutions.

The situation highlights ongoing challenges in balancing political leadership with extensive private business interests, particularly for high-profile figures with cross-border investments.