Coalition refuses program changes, Babiš to address conflict of interest only ahead of appointment

The new coalition between ANO, SPD, and Motorists will not revise its program despite President Petr Pavel’s Wednesday request to add the government’s stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine, include a commitment to fulfilling NATO obligations and outline plans to raise defence spending. Coalition leaders agreed on the stance Thursday evening.

ANO party leader Andrej Babiš said the program reflects a compromise among coalition partners. He added he will outline how he plans to resolve his conflict of interest shortly before the president appoints him prime minister. The coalition aims to set a timeline next week for announcing ministerial nominees and wants to pass the state budget in time to avoid a provisional one.