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Andrej Babiš, the self-proclaimed billionaire that won the recent Czech election, has declined to offload his vast business interests, while asserting he will address a conflict of interest that might prevent him from assuming the position of prime minister.

Position on Business Holdings

Babiš, whose political movement emerged victorious in the October vote but did not secure a majority in parliament, declared in a social media post that he will not divest his Agrofert conglomerate, which operates in agriculture, food processing, and chemicals.

“I have repeatedly stated I will never sell Agrofert. I have repeatedly stated I will address the ethical issue in accordance with Czech and European laws,” Babiš remarked. “This is not like selling a pastry in a bakeshop.”

President's Demand

The head of state, Petr Pavel, stated that the 71-year-old populist must clarify openly how he will eliminate ethical conflicts arising from his corporate dealings before being appointed prime minister.

The Czech constitution “explicitly requires the head of state to take into account the potential occurrence of a conflict of interest and the possibilities for its resolution” when appointing government ministers, the presidential administration noted.

The head of state “expects clarity in what specific way Andrej Babiš will meet his statutory duties”, the announcement said, noting that Pavel was ready to appoint Babiš as prime minister “without delay” once the issue was settled.

Corporate Activities and Legal Concerns

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

Under Czech law, cabinet members cannot obtaining public aid or agreements. The ethics organization Transparency International has stated that to prevent a ethical breach, Babiš must either sell, decline government deals, or not enter public office.

Previous Tenure and Present Plans

Babiš said he would “follow the regulations” if appointed as prime minister, but declined to detail how in beforehand because the matter was “an highly personal and personal matter for me, and journalists will invariably criticise me anyway”.

During his initial tenure as premier, from 2017 to 2021, Babiš encountered several legal battles and an European inquiry over potential ethical issues. He placed his assets into trust funds, while retaining certain control over them.

A judicial body and the European Commission both ruled that this did not suffice. Babiš stated last month that he was once more the sole owner of Agrofert and insisted he was “taking steps” to prevent a conflict of interest, but refused to reveal details.

Governing Agreement and International Consequences

The wealthy politician has concluded a coalition agreement with two minor right-leaning groups, the ultra-conservative, pro-Russian SPD, which has advocated a public vote on leaving the EU, and the Motorists for Themselves, which has primarily campaigned against the EU’s environmental policy.

The incoming administration, if approved, is likely to bolster the populist bloc in the region and might strain western support for Ukraine – although Babiš has called Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to assure him of the nation's backing.

Pavel, who as head of state shares responsibility for foreign policy, also demanded that the coalition’s programme add a statement on the government’s position on the conflict in Ukraine, with a pledge to meeting Nato obligations.

The head of state has earlier stated he would not endorse any cabinet candidates who might doubt the nation's EU and Nato commitments, a requirement that the ultra-conservative party has said it will satisfy by nominating independent technocrats.