PM Babiš: reform of EU emissions trading system government’s top priority

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) says he considers the reform of the European Union’s emissions trading system to be the Czech government’s main priority.

At a press briefing outlining the government's economic strategy, Babiš described the emissions allowance system as an “absolute disaster,” saying Czechia has so far lost nearly CZK 160 billion because of it. He said he was putting a lot of effort into forming a coalition of countries that he referred to as “friends of European competitiveness”.

According to the prime minister Italy, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary support the Czech position calling for changes to the EU’s ETS1 emissions trading system.

Other priority areas include energy, healthcare and construction aimed at increasing housing affordability.