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Andrej Babiš, the self-proclaimed billionaire who secured victory in the recent Czech election, has declined to offload his extensive corporate assets, while insisting he will resolve a conflict of interest that might prevent him from assuming the role of prime minister.

Position on Business Holdings

Babiš, whose ANO party emerged victorious in the October vote but lacked a parliamentary majority, declared in a social media post that he would not sell his Agrofert group, which operates in agriculture, food processing, and chemicals.

“I have repeatedly stated I will never sell Agrofert. I have consistently stated I will resolve the conflict of interest in accordance with Czech and EU regulations,” Babiš remarked. “This is not like selling a pastry in a bakeshop.”

Head of State's Requirement

The head of state, Petr Pavel, announced that the elderly populist must clarify openly how he will eliminate ethical conflicts stemming from his corporate dealings before assuming the role of premier.

The Czech constitution “clearly mandates the president to consider the potential occurrence of a ethical issue and the possibilities for its resolution” when selecting cabinet members, the presidential administration explained.

The president “expects clarity in what specific way Andrej Babiš will meet his constitutional and legal obligations”, the statement added, noting that Pavel was ready to appoint Babiš as prime minister “immediately” once the matter was resolved.

Business Operations and Regulatory Concerns

Babiš's several hundred companies, mostly under the Agrofert umbrella, function in the nation and other regional countries, receiving millions of euros in domestic and European agricultural and other subsidies, as well as public contracts.

Under national legislation, government ministers are barred from obtaining state support or contracts. The ethics watchdog Transparency International has indicated that to avoid a ethical breach, Babiš must either divest, decline government deals, or stay out of public office.

Previous Term and Present Intentions

Babiš said he would “abide by the laws” if appointed as prime minister, but did not want to explain how in beforehand because the matter was “an highly personal and personal matter for me, and journalists will always question me anyway”.

During his first term as premier, from 2017 to 2021, Babiš faced several court cases and an EU investigation over potential ethical issues. He placed his assets into fiduciary arrangements, while retaining some influence over them.

A judicial body and the European Commission both determined that this was insufficient. Babiš confirmed recently that he was once more the sole owner of Agrofert and maintained he was “taking steps” to prevent a conflict of interest, but refused to disclose specifics.

Governing Agreement and Foreign Policy Implications

The wealthy politician has signed a coalition agreement with two minor right-leaning groups, the ultra-conservative, Russia-friendly SPD, which has called for a referendum on leaving the EU, and the Motorists for Themselves, which has primarily opposed the EU’s environmental policy.

The incoming administration, if approved, is expected to strengthen the populist movement in the region and might challenge backing from Western nations for Ukraine – although Babiš has called Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to assure him of the nation's backing.

Pavel, who as president has a role for foreign policy, also demanded that the coalition’s programme include a declaration on the government’s position on the conflict in Ukraine, including a commitment to meeting alliance duties.

The president has earlier stated he would not approve any ministerial nominees who might doubt the nation's international alliances, a condition that the far-right SPD has said it will satisfy by proposing independent technocrats.