About: Andrej Babis
Czech president opens way to opposition government, feels fit to finish term
Czech President Miloš Zeman expects to appoint opposition leader Petr Fiala as the new prime minister, the president said in his first public remarks since the country's 8-9 October parliamentary election.
Czechs want to know what’s wrong with their ill president
When Vaclav Havel nearly died of a ruptured intestine as Czech president in 1998, doctors provided daily updates on his condition.
Tweets of the Week: Babiš, Kurz, Plain Language Day
Babiš in trouble for buying a chateau, Austrian PM Kurz gets the heave-ho, Hahn hashtag use is a no-go
Czech PM, named in Pandora probe, leads polls ahead of vote
A populist billionaire at odds with the European Union who featured in the Pandora Papers is the narrow favourite in Czech elections starting on Friday (8 October) that promise a tight result.
Tweets of the Week: Pandora Papers, Facebook Down, Brdo Summit
Pandora Papers revelations hit their mark, world panics as Facebook goes dark, and not much happened in Brdo apart from the snark.
State Department says US is reviewing findings from Pandora Papers
The United States is reviewing findings of leaked financial documents known as the Pandora Papers, but is not in a position to comment on specifics, State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday (4 October).
Pandora Papers reveals hidden wealth of world’s most powerful
A massive leak of financial documents on Sunday (3 October) that allegedly ties 27 EU politicians and global figures including King Abdullah of Jordan, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, and associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin to secret stores of wealth.
Czech far right sets ‘Czexit’ referendum law as price for post-vote talks
The far-right SPD party, which may play a role in forming a new Czech government next month, would demand the cabinet propose legislation that could lead to a referendum on leaving the European Union, party chief Tomio Okamura said.
Czech PM says ‘no place’ for Afghan refugees in Europe
There is no place for Afghan refugees in the European Union which should instead help them to stay in their homeland, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Tuesday (7 September).
Slovenia aims to make EU-Western Balkans summit regular feature
Slovenia's EU presidency will host an EU-Western Balkans summit in early October and its desire is to make these summits a regular annual event as a means of accelerating the EU enlargement process, Foreign Minister Anže Logar has said.
Czech government opts for interim spymaster amid political row
The Czech government delayed appointing a new head of its BIS counterintelligence agency on Monday (9 August) in a move seen as allowing Prime Minister Andrej Babis to keep the country's president on his side going into an October election.
Czechs forward Babiš case to new EU prosecutor’s office
A Czech prosecutor said Thursday (3 June) that the case of the billionaire prime minister's conflict of interest as an entrepreneur and politician has been forwarded to the new EU prosecutor's office.
Czech lawmakers reject quotas on domestic goods in supermarkets to avert EU clash
Czech lawmakers rejected plans to require supermarkets to sell mainly domestically produced food on Tuesday (13 April), removing the measure from a bill on food quality to avoid clashes with the European Commission over EU single market rules.
Six EU states demand vaccine ‘correction mechanism’
Six central and eastern European Union heads of government urged Brussels on Tuesday (16 March) to find a "correction mechanism" to fix what they called the unfair distribution of coronavirus vaccines within the bloc.
Palestinians and Arab League condemn opening of Czech Jerusalem office
The Palestinian Authority and the Arab League on Saturday (13 March) condemned the Czech Republic's opening of a diplomatic office in Jerusalem as a violation of international law.
Commission concerned about COVID vaccines black market
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned member states that getting supplies of COVID vaccines from illicit trade entails considerable risks for human health.
Czech parliament backs food law obliging stores to prioritise local products
The Czech Republic is on its way to introduce a protectionist food law despite warnings that this could be in violation of the EU's free movement of goods.
Czech health minister backs coal mining phase-out ‘as soon as possible’
Czech health minister Jan Blatný is aware of the negative impacts of coal mining on the environment and human health. “Personally, I am in favour of a coal mining phase-out as soon as possible,” he told EURACTIV.cz.
Europe’s right-wing populists beat about the bush after US Capitol assault
Most European leaders condemned last week's storming of the US Capitol by pro-Trump activists. Meanwhile, Europe's far-right leaders, which so far have sympathised with Trump, are balancing between condemnation and self-protection.
Czech PM ditches Trump-inspired social media profile after Capitol assault
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš removed his red "Strong Czechia" hat inspired by US President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" cap from his social media accounts on Thursday after Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building.
Czechs approve squeezing extra dose from Pfizer vaccine vials
The Czech Republic has allowed squeezing an extra dose from COVID-19 vaccine vials supplied by Pfizer and BioNTech, taking advantage of an extra reserve amount put into the vials by the maker, the Health Ministry said.
Czech centre-right parties form alliance to defeat Babiš
Three centre-right Czech parties haven signed a memorandum on forming an alliance for the next year’s general elections. The aim of Civic Democrats (ECR), Christian Democrats (EPP) and TOP 09 (EPP) is to defeat the ruling ANO party (Renew) of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
Von der Leyen leaves EU summit to self-isolate
EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (15 October) left a summit attended by the bloc's 27 leaders after learning that a staff member had tested positive for the coronavirus.