Babiš slams EU’s proposed changes to ETS2 as “nonsense and hypocrisy”

Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO party which is putting together the next cabinet and likely future Czech prime minister, has sharply criticized the European Commission’s proposed changes to the EU’s new emissions trading system, known as ETS2. In a video posted on social networks, Babiš called the proposals “nonsensical and hypocritical” and urged outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala to reject what he described as the Commission’s “green madness” at the upcoming EU leaders’ summit.

Babiš reiterated that his incoming government would reject the ETS2 system altogether, adding that if the EU were to enforce it regardless, the Czech Republic would refuse to implement it. “We’d rather take it to court,” he said.

According to Babiš, Prague opposes any policy that would cause a sharp rise in housing or fuel costs, and while the Commission’s new proposal acknowledges these concerns, it does not go far enough. We must continue seeking support to postpone the launch of this type of emissions trading altogether, Babiš concluded.