Commission confirms suspension of some subsidies for group founded by Babiš

The European Commission has confirmed that it has suspended the payment of a portion of subsidies from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to companies within the Agrofert holding group created by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

In February, Mr. Babiš placed his shares in Agrofert in a trust fund, saying he was thus giving up all control of the company for good.

However, a spokesperson for the Commission said on Tuesday that it had concluded, following a thorough assessment, that the Czech prime minister was in a potential conflict of interest and that the trust fund did not adequately address the situation.

For his part, Mr. Babiš said that he had no interest in the European Commission’s moves and was taking no action in connection with them.