Babiš reveals conflict of interest solution for company ownership before appointment as PM

Andrej Babiš, the leader of the ANO movement and former and soon to be prime minister, announced that he will publish a plan to resolve his conflict of interest shortly before he is appointed to head the government.

President Petr Pavel on Wednesday demanded that he clarify his intentions before appointing him to head the cabinet. "If the president wishes it, I will say it publicly," Babiš told Czech media.

The politician owns hundreds of companies in central Europe, ranging from agriculture to chemicals to healthcare, many of which receive state and European subsidies and public contracts. This is incompatible with the law, which sets out the requirements for holding a government post.

In the past, attempts have been made to resolve conflicts of interest by transferring companies into trust funds, but this has been deemed insufficient by both the European Commission and the Czech courts. Now he says he will meet the legal requirements, but without selling his businesses.

Anti-corruption organisations and lawyers are calling on him to take a clear step - either divest his companies or step down from public office. Any further ambiguity would again undermine confidence in the government's transparency, experts say.

(reuters, max)