Emerging Czech government preparing to reject EU carbon permits

The three parties that are negotiating the set-up of the next Czech government — ANO, SPD and the Motorists — have said that they will refuse to introduce the EU’s new carbon emission trading system for households and transport, due to take effect in January 2027.

ANO deputy leader Karel Havlíček told reporters that the future government would immediately notify the European Commission of its decision. Havlíček said the emissions fee was “socially unacceptable,” since it would burden families with thousands of crowns in higher energy and fuel costs. He added that the government would rather risk legal action and fines from Brussels than pass the costs on to citizens.