End of an empire? What Babiš’s PM appointment means for the Czech economy

As Andrej Babiš resumes the premiership for the third time, taking a look at Agrofert, the conglomerate fueling Czechia's political crisis and economy.

ČTK Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas

Written by ČTK,  Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas Published on 09.12.2025 08:51:00 (updated on 09.12.2025) Reading time: 3 minutes

Daily News
Wikimedia Commons / Vzdalujicisekroky
Wikimedia Commons / Vzdalujicisekroky

As President Petr Pavel vetted incoming Prime Minister Andrej Babiš last week, the central issue was clear: how could Babiš serve as head of government while maintaining economic ties to Agrofert, the sprawling conglomerate he founded?

Last Thursday, Babiš announced that he would permanently relinquish control through a new trust structure, which will pass to his descendants only after his death.

Advertisement Westfield Christmas 2025 in-article

The move cleared the way for President Pavel to formally appoint Babiš prime minister for the third time today, Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Questions remain, however, about whether the arrangement truly resolves the conflict of interest that has dogged Czech politics for years.

While Agrofert has become a buzzword for political controversy (key amendments to the country’s Conflict of Interest Act are nicknamed Lex Babiš I and II), it’s easy to overlook the conglomerate’s economic footprint, given the intense focus on its owner.

As the EU and organizations like Transparency International continue to scrutinize the new trust structure, how will the shift in the conglomerate’s ownership impact the country’s economy in the long run?

#Agrofert #Andrej Babiš #conflict of interest #explainer #Prime Minister
Every business has a story. Let's make yours heard. Click here

Other daily news

Advertisement Advertise with Expats.cz

Partner articles

FEATURED JOBS

View all jobs

TRENDING ARTICLES

POPULAR ARTICLES