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Andrej Babiš, the self-styled billionaire who won last month's parliamentary vote, has refused to sell his vast business interests, while asserting he will address a ethical dilemma that might prevent him from taking the position of prime minister.

Stance on Business Holdings

Babiš, whose ANO party emerged victorious in the autumn election but lacked a parliamentary majority, stated in a social media post that he will not sell his Agrofert conglomerate, which is active in farming, food production, and chemical industries.

“I have consistently stated I will not sell Agrofert. I have repeatedly stated I will resolve the ethical issue in accordance with Czech and European laws,” the billionaire remarked. “This is not like selling a pastry in a bakery.”

Head of State's Requirement

The head of state, Petr Pavel, announced that the elderly populist must clarify openly how he will remove ethical conflicts arising from his corporate dealings before being appointed prime minister.

The national charter “explicitly requires the head of state to consider the possible emergence of a conflict of interest and the possibilities for its resolution” when selecting government ministers, the presidential administration noted.

The president “wants it to be clear in what specific way Andrej Babiš will fulfil his statutory duties”, the announcement added, noting that Pavel was ready to appoint Babiš as premier “immediately” once the matter was resolved.

Corporate Activities and Legal Issues

Babiš's numerous firms, mostly under the Agrofert group, function in the nation and other central European countries, benefiting from millions of euros in domestic and European farming and other subsidies, as well as government deals.

Under Czech law, cabinet members are barred from obtaining public aid or contracts. The ethics organization Transparency International has indicated that to avoid a ethical breach, Babiš must either sell, decline government deals, or not enter government.

Past Term and Current Plans

Babiš affirmed he would “abide by the laws” if selected as prime minister, but did not want to detail how in beforehand because the issue was “an highly personal and personal matter for me, and journalists will always criticise me regardless”.

During his initial tenure as premier, from 2017 to 2021, Babiš faced multiple court cases and an EU investigation over potential ethical issues. He temporarily moved his holdings into trust funds, while retaining some influence over them.

A judicial body and the European Commission both ruled that this did not suffice. Babiš confirmed last month that he was again the sole owner of Agrofert and maintained he was “taking steps” to avoid a conflict of interest, but refused to reveal specifics.

Coalition Agreement and Foreign Policy Consequences

The billionaire populist has signed a governing pact with two minor right-leaning groups, the far-right, Russia-friendly SPD, which has advocated a referendum on exiting the EU, and the Motorists for Themselves, which has mainly opposed the EU’s environmental policy.

The new government, if approved, is expected to strengthen the populist movement in the region and might challenge western support for Ukraine – although Babiš has called Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to assure him of the nation's backing.

Pavel, who as president shares responsibility for foreign policy, also requested that the government agenda add a declaration on the official stance on the conflict in Ukraine, with a commitment to meeting Nato obligations.

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