ANO to remain with liberal group after European Parliament elections

Czech opposition party ANO plans to remain with its current European partner, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), after European Parliament elections next year, deputy chairman Karel Havlíček said on Monday. He made the comment after discussions in Prague with the group's co-chairs in Prague.

At the end of March, ALDE criticised ANO leader Andrej Babiš's attendance at a Budapest conference organised by the US conservative group CPAC.

ALDE at that time said it would investigate the loyalty of ANO and its leadership to liberal values and ALDE's mission and would not invite Mr. Babiš to its events for the foreseeable future.

Commentators say that ANO has become more right-wing since its leader lost elections to the Czech presidency at the start of this year.