ANO party blocks debate on amendment tightening conflict of interest law

The opposition ANO party on Friday blocked debate on an amendment which would tighten the law on conflict of interest in the lower house of Parliament. The proposed amendment includes a provision strictly banning deputies, senators or government ministers from media ownership. Unlike the present law it would no longer allow the owner of a media outlet to circumvent the ban by placing the company in a trust fund. MPs representing the opposition ANO party blocked the planned debate by a series of obstructions, saying the bill is clearly directed against their leader, former prime minister, Andrej Babiš.