Czech PM backs Macron’s ‘Buy European’ plan for EU public contracts

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is in favour of French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to give preference to European manufacturers in public procurement across the European Union. Mr. Babiš expressed support for the plan after nearly two hours of talks with President Macron in Paris.

The French president has repeatedly promoted the plan, known as “buy European,” in recent days ahead of Thursday’s informal EU summit on the bloc’s competitiveness.

However, several countries have voiced concerns about the proposal. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are among those who have expressed reservations.

Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Sweden have taken a firmer stance. In a joint statement, they warned that the plan could lead to an outflow of investment from the EU.