Details of a 71-page European Commission preliminary report relating to the
Czech prime minister, Andrej Babiš, have been published by a number of
Czech media outlets. The audit states that, having “appointed all their
actors”, Mr. Babiš has “a decisive influence” over two trust funds
via which he controls the Agrofert group. This means the Czech PM is in
conflict of interest, a charge he strenuously denies.
Mr. Babiš placed Agrofert, a major agriculture, food and chemicals
business, in a trust fund two years ago.
The European Commission says that all EU subsidies received by Agrofert
since February 2017, when a conflict of interest law entered the Czech
statute books, should be returned. It put the figure that the Czech state
should seek back from Agrofert at CZK 450 million.
The Czech minister of finance, Alena Schillerová of Mr. Babiš’s ANO
party, said on Friday evening that the Czech state would be demanding the
return of the money if it were proven to have been wrongfully acquired.
In a separate matter, the police have recommended that Mr. Babiš face
criminal charges of abusing CZK 50 million in EU subsidies in connection
with a hotel and conference centre near Prague.
A rally against Mr. Babiš in central Prague had already been planned for
next Tuesday evening prior to Friday’s news about the European Commission
report.