About: Andrej Babis
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.
Czechs drop opposition to 2030 climate goal ahead of EU summit
The Czech Republic said it was ready to back the EU’s proposed 2030 target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55%, provided that the objective is a collective one and that EU state aid rules do not hamper its nuclear ambitions.
In Brussels, Visegrad countries reject the EU’s migration plan
Four Eastern European countries rejected the EU's latest plans for handling migrants on Thursday (24 September), after talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, and insisted that the plans for tougher new asylum rules do not go far enough.
Czech PM vetoes V4 meeting with Belarus opposition leader
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis vetoed on Thursday (10 September) a Polish proposal to invite Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to Friday’s summit of central European heads of state, saying such a step would be “hasty”.
Major political groups harbour corruption – Greens’ Freund
The major European political groups tolerate corruption and malfeasance among the member parties, says Green MEP Daniel Freund, who also analyses the weaknesses of instruments to fight the misuse of EU funds.
Pompeo in Prague at start of central Europe visit
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Prague on Tuesday (11 August), public TV footage showed, to open a five-day visit to central Europe with a hefty agenda including China's role in 5G network construction.
Czech PM slams EU ‘interference’ over subsidy misuse
Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš on Saturday (20 June) accused the European Parliament of "interference" after it pressed for mechanisms to stop the misuse of EU subsidies.
MEPs want Czech PM removed from EU budget talks
A European Parliament resolution calls for Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to be excluded from EU budget negotiations over alleged conflicts of interest related to EU subsidies received by his former business empire. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Visegrad leaders call for ‘fair’ EU recovery fund
Four central European prime ministers called for a "fair" distribution of the EU's massive recovery fund on Thursday (11 June), at what has been dubbed the bloc's first major face-to-face political meeting since the coronavirus lockdown.
Visegrad leaders hold first face-to-face talks of virus crisis
Masks and gloves will be the order of the day when the prime ministers of four ex-communist countries on Thursday (11 June) hold the first major face-to-face meeting of European leaders since the coronavirus crisis.
COVID-19 lockdown: The EU leaders who didn’t lead by example
In the UK and in many countries in Central and Eastern Europe leaders have shown lack of respect for the lockdown measures – the EURACTIV network looked into how some prime ministers and presidents have conducted themselves through the pandemic so far.
In political U-turn, Czechs back EU’s green recovery plan
A draft statement from the Czech government calls on the EU economic recovery plan and long-term budget to fall in line with the European Green Deal, marking a U-turn from Prague's earlier positions.
EPP proposes law to protect small farmers against oligarchs
The European People's Party group called on Wednesday (13 May) for an EU law to prevent oligarchs and land-grabbers drawing on EU subsidies at the expense of small and medium-sized farming businesses. The practice is widespread in countries in Eastern Europe and Italy.
Czech PM must stay out of EU budget talks, say MEPs
MEPs in charge of controlling EU spending on Thursday (7 May) said Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš should stay out of negotiations towards the bloc's future budget until a probe into a possible conflict of interest was resolved.
Czech PM urges EU to ditch Green Deal amid virus
The Czech premier, whose country depends on nuclear energy and coal, said Monday (16 March) the European Union should ditch its landmark green law seeking carbon neutrality as it battles the novel coronavirus.
MEP Hohlmeier: No system to identify conflict of interest in Czech Republic
Distribution of EU funds in the Czech Republic faces several weaknesses, including a lack of clear system, said German MEP Monika Hohlmeier (EPP), who led a fact-finding mission of the Budgetary Control (CONT) committee to the country.
Czech government to sue Commission over PM’s alleged conflict of interest
The Czech government will fill a lawsuit against the European Commission over the suspension of subsidy payments granted to Agrofert holding, an agrochemical company of Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (RE) that is currently managed by trust funds. EURACTIV.cz reports.