Czech MPs debate no-confidence motion against Babiš government

Czech MPs are meeting on Tuesday to debate an opposition motion of no confidence in the government of ANO, SPD and the Motorists. The debate comes ten days before municipal and Senate elections. The opposition says it is protesting the proposed state budget deficit, what it describes as an unresolved conflict of interest involving Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, and government attacks on various institutions.

The motion was submitted by ODS, STAN, the Pirates, KDU-ČSL and TOP 09, whose 92 MPs would need at least nine additional votes to reach the 101 needed to bring down the government. The governing parties currently hold 108 of the 200 seats in the lower house.