President Pavel to appoint new Czech government

President Petr Pavel appoints a new Czech government on Monday, led by ANO party leader Andrej Babiš and made up of ministers from ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the Motorists' parties. The cabinet replaces the outgoing government of Petr Fiala and marks Andrej Babiš’s return to power almost four years after leaving office. ANO will hold eight ministerial posts in addition to the prime ministership, SPD will have three ministers and the Motorists four. The coalition controls a majority of 108 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and plans to seek a confidence vote in January. The government will initially take office without a full line-up, as Motorists’ nominee Filip Turek is absent due to health issues and ongoing controversy.