Czech President Conditions Babiš’s Premiership on Conflict-of-Interest Clarity Amid Rising Political Risks

In a critical moment for Central Europe’s political landscape and by extension America’s strategic foothold in the region, Czech President Petr Pavel has placed a firm condition on appointing Andrej Babiš as prime minister: clear resolution of looming conflicts of interest tied to Babiš’s extensive business empire. Babiš, a billionaire whose Agrofert conglomerate controls around 200 companies including significant health sector assets, faces tightened restrictions under a 2023 amendment that clamps down on politicians merging private wealth with public power. This law — rightly upheld by President Pavel — prevents politicians from sidestepping conflict of interest rules via trust funds...