ANO, SPD and Motorists' Party conclude talks on government programme

Negotiating teams of the ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), and the Motorists' parties have concluded their talks on the government’s programme agendas, corresponding to individual ministries. According to ANO deputy chairman Karel Havlíček, the coalition programme is about 95 percent complete. After today’s discussions in the lower house on culture and foreign policy, the parties will meet over the weekend in a smaller format to finalise sections on science and digitalisation. Havlíček praised the progress made since the elections, noting that the three parties have already agreed on cabinet positions, the organisation of the Chamber of Deputies, and most of the policy agenda. “We’ve done a huge amount of work. The goal is to have everything ready by Sunday evening,” he said, adding that further meetings could be held if necessary. The final review of the text, including cross-references between chapters, will take place this weekend. Detailed talks will also involve ANO leader and likely next prime minister Andrej Babiš, who has been on vacation but is being briefed daily, Havlíček added.