Final draft of Brussels audit finds Babiš in conflict of interest

The final version of a European Commission audit relating to Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has confirmed that he is in conflict of interest, the Czech News Agency reported on Monday, citing a number of MEPs. The commission is due to send the Czech version of the final draft of the report on subsidies received by the conglomerate Agrofert to the Czech Republic in January.

According to previously cited preliminary auditors’ reports, the country should return around CZK 450 million to the EU’s coffers in connection with the matter.

In May the European Parliament’s Control Committee recommended that Mr. Babiš either step down or cease drawing on EU funds via companies linked to Agrofert, if conflict of interest was proven.

The Czech PM says he adhered to Czech law by placing the company into trust funds. However, the European Commission’s auditors say he continues to control Agrofert indirectly.