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Andrej Babiš, the self-styled billionaire who secured victory in the recent Czech election, has refused to sell his vast business interests, while insisting he will address a conflict of interest that might block him from taking the position of head of government.

Position on Corporate Empire

Babiš, whose ANO party emerged victorious in the October vote but lacked a majority in parliament, declared in a social media post that he will not sell his Agrofert conglomerate, which is active in agriculture, food production, and chemicals.

“I have consistently said I will not sell Agrofert. I have repeatedly stated I will address the conflict of interest in accordance with Czech and EU regulations,” the billionaire remarked. “This is different from selling a pastry in a bakeshop.”

Head of State's Demand

The Czech president, Petr Pavel, announced that the elderly political figure must clarify openly how he will eliminate conflicts of interest arising from his corporate dealings before assuming the role of premier.

The national charter “clearly mandates the head of state to consider the potential occurrence of a ethical issue and the ways to address it” when appointing cabinet members, Pavel's office explained.

The head of state “expects clarity in what specific way Andrej Babiš will fulfil his constitutional and legal obligations”, the statement said, noting that Pavel was ready to designate Babiš as prime minister “immediately” once the matter was resolved.

Business Operations and Regulatory Issues

Babiš's several hundred firms, mostly under the Agrofert umbrella, operate in the Czech Republic and other regional states, receiving millions of euros in domestic and European farming and other subsidies, as well as government deals.

Under national legislation, cabinet members are barred from obtaining state support or contracts. The ethics organization Transparency International has stated that to avoid a conflict of interest, Babiš must either sell, refuse public contracts, or not enter government.

Previous Tenure and Current Intentions

Babiš affirmed he would “follow the regulations” if appointed as prime minister, but declined to detail how in advance because the matter was “an extremely sensitive and private affair for me, and journalists will always question me anyway”.

During his initial tenure as prime minister, from 2017 to 2021, Babiš faced several legal battles and an EU investigation over potential ethical issues. He placed his holdings into fiduciary arrangements, while keeping some influence over them.

A court 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 “taking steps” to prevent a conflict of interest, but declined to reveal details.

Coalition Deal and Foreign Policy Implications

The billionaire populist has signed a governing pact with two minor right-leaning groups, the far-right, pro-Russian SPD, which has called for a public vote on leaving the EU, and the Motorists for Themselves, which has mainly campaigned against the EU’s environmental policy.

The incoming administration, if confirmed, is expected to strengthen the populist movement in central and eastern Europe and could challenge western support for Ukraine – even though Babiš has contacted Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to confirm of the nation's backing.

Pavel, who as president shares responsibility for international relations, also demanded that the coalition’s programme include a declaration on the government’s position on the conflict in Ukraine, with a pledge to meeting alliance duties.

The head of state has previously said he would not approve any cabinet candidates who might doubt the Czech Republic’s EU and Nato commitments, a condition that the far-right SPD has said it will meet by proposing non-partisan experts.