Czech PM’s Business Breaks Conflict of Interest Rules

According to an audit by the European Commission, the Agrofert business empire of Czech prime minister, Andrej Babis, has broken conflict of interest rules through his control of company trust funds and could be forced to pay back EU subsidies it had received after 2017.

A report by EU auditors concluded that Babis controls the trust funds, so Agrofert should pay back EUR 11 million from the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund grants. The prime minister alleges the audit had been manipulated by his political enemies, adding that it was scandalous that individuals in Brussels were interpreting Czech law.

Elections in Czechia are set to take place this fall.

Source: Reuters