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Andrej Babiš, the self-proclaimed billionaire who won the recent Czech election, has declined to sell his extensive corporate assets, while asserting he will resolve a conflict of interest that could prevent him from assuming the role of head of government.

Position on Business Holdings

Babiš, whose ANO party emerged victorious in the October election but did not secure a majority in parliament, stated in a social media post that he will not sell his Agrofert group, which operates in farming, food processing, and chemicals.

“I have consistently said I will never sell Agrofert. I have repeatedly said I will resolve the conflict of interest in accordance with Czech and European laws,” Babiš remarked. “This is not like selling a roll in a bakeshop.”

Head of State's Demand

The head of state, Petr Pavel, stated that the elderly political figure must clarify openly how he will remove ethical conflicts arising from his business activities before being appointed prime minister.

The Czech constitution “explicitly requires the head of state to take into account the possible emergence of a conflict of interest and the ways to address it” when appointing government ministers, Pavel's office explained.

The president “wants it to be clear in what specific way Andrej Babiš will meet his statutory duties”, the statement said, stating that Pavel was prepared to designate Babiš as prime minister “without delay” once the issue was resolved.

Business Operations and Legal Issues

Babiš's numerous firms, mostly under the Agrofert group, operate in the nation and other regional countries, receiving millions of euros in national and EU farming and other grants, as well as public contracts.

Under Czech law, government ministers cannot receiving state support or agreements. The anti-corruption organization Transparency International has indicated that to prevent a conflict of interest, Babiš must either sell, refuse public contracts, or stay out of public office.

Past Term and Present Plans

Babiš affirmed he would “follow the laws” if selected as premier, but did not want to explain how in advance because the matter was “an extremely sensitive and private affair for me, and the media will always criticise me regardless”.

During his initial tenure as prime minister, from 2017 to 2021, Babiš faced multiple court cases and an European inquiry over possible conflicts of interest. He temporarily moved his assets into fiduciary arrangements, while retaining some influence over them.

A judicial body and the EU executive both ruled that this was insufficient. Babiš confirmed last month that he was once more the sole owner of Agrofert and maintained he was “implementing measures” to prevent a conflict of interest, but declined to reveal specifics.

Governing Deal and Foreign Policy Implications

The billionaire populist has signed a governing pact with two rightwing fringe parties, the far-right, pro-Russian SPD, which has advocated a referendum on exiting the EU, and the Motorists for Themselves, which has mainly opposed the EU’s Green Deal.

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

Pavel, who as president has a role for international relations, also demanded that the government agenda include a statement on the official stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine, with a commitment to fulfilling Nato obligations.

The head of state has earlier stated he would not endorse any ministerial nominees who might doubt the nation's international alliances, a requirement that the far-right SPD has said it will meet by proposing independent technocrats.