Regional Development Ministry preparing official response to EP resolution

The Ministry for Regional Development will prepare an official response to the resolution passed by the European Parliament on Friday pertaining to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš' possible conflict of interest. Minister Klára Dostálová told reporters on Monday that the Czech Republic has a sophisticated system of controls in the area of financial management and adequate legislation in place to prevent conflict of interest. She said she could not understand why the European Parliament was interfering in the country‘s internal affairs.

The resolution, passed by a majority vote, says it is inadmissible for the Czech prime minister to partake in decisions on EU funds, while continuing to exert control over the multi-billion crown Agrofert conglomerate he founded, despite having placed it into trust funds. It further states that the Czech Republic lacks a clear system for protecting EU funds against misuse.

The Czech prime minister said the resolution was a political proclamation and accused the European Parliament of exerting political and media pressure on the Czech judicial system.