Babiš says he will not sell Agrofert, pledges to resolve conflict of interest legally

ANO party leader and likely future prime minister Andrej Babiš has repeated that he will not sell his Agrofert holding and will resolve his conflict of interest in line with Czech and European law. He made the statement in a video posted on social media on Thursday.

President Petr Pavel insists that Babiš should present his proposed solution publicly. Following their meeting on Wednesday, the presidential office said that if Babiš takes clear steps showing he intends to resolve the conflict of interest and act within the law, the president is ready to appoint him prime minister without delay.

In February 2017, Babiš placed his Agrofert shares into two trust funds to comply with the conflict of interest law, but he retained influence over them. In October this year, he confirmed that he had again become Agrofert’s sole owner and said he was taking steps to stay within the law.