Right-wing populist billionaire Babis invested as Czech prime minister
Billionaire Andrej Babis took the helm in Prague as prime minister. After a power struggle with President Pavel, he is relying on a right-wing alliance – and promises to transfer his companies to a trust fund.
Prague (dpa) - More than two months after the parliamentary elections, Czechia has a new right-wing populist head of government in billionaire Andrej Babis. President Petr Pavel swore in the 71-year-old in a solemn ceremony at Prague Castle. Babis has formed a coalition with two parties on the far right, the Motorists' Party and the anti-immigration Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD).
This was preceded by a weeks-long power struggle between election winner Babis and the president. Pavel demanded that the billionaire resolve his conflict of interest, which arises from his role as an entrepreneur and recipient of EU subsidies on the one hand and a politician on the other. Babis relented by promising to transfer his company holding Agrofert to a trust. Critics, however, spoke of legal manoeuvring.
According to the constitution, the new prime minister must call a vote of confidence within 30 days. Together, the new coalition holds 108 of the 200 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. Until all new cabinet members are appointed, the current ministers will remain in office on an interim basis. At the EU level, Babis' ANO party works together with Hungary's Fidesz and Austria's FPÖ in a parliamentary group.