Babiš briefs President Pavel on progress in coalition talks

ANO leader Andrej Babiš on Monday met with President Petr Pavel to brief him on progress in the ongoing coalition talks between ANO, Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), and the Motorists’ party.

Babiš said he had outlined the coalition’s key program priorities — particularly in foreign policy, an area with which, according to Babiš, President Pavel had expressed satisfaction.

Agreement on two or three policy areas is still pending, Babiš said, noting that details must be fine-tuned before the coalition presents its finalized program.

The ANO leader declined to say whether President Pavel had tasked him with forming a government, stressing that this decision lies within the president’s authority. Pavel is expected to comment on the matter later today.

Babiš added that ANO, SPD, and the Motorists will continue negotiating the wording of the coalition agreement and emerging government’s policy statement. Only after both documents are complete will he present his proposal for the government’s line-up. According to Babiš, the president will likely wish to speak individually with all ministerial candidates.