Government approves policy statement with focus on cheaper energy and pensions

The government led by Andrej Babiš, the ANO party leader, approved its policy statement on Monday, according to information from the Czech News Agency. The ANO–Freedom and Direct Democracy–Motorists' party coalition agreed on its main priorities in late October, shortly after the parliamentary election. The cabinet will seek a confidence vote in the lower house next week. Key priorities include cheaper energy and energy security, healthcare and housing as a public interest, and changes to the pension system, including capping the retirement age at 65. The programme pledges not to raise taxes, reintroduce electronic sales records and halt steps towards adopting the euro. It also rules out a referendum on membership in the EU and NATO.