"Andrej Babis, the self-proclaimed Trumpist billionaire who won last month's Czech election, has refused to sell his huge business empire, but insisted he will resolve a conflict of interest that threatens to bar him from becoming prime minister. Babis, whose ANO party finished a comfortable first in the October vote but failed to secure a majority in parliament, said in a social media post on Thursday he would not sell his Agrofert farming, food processing and chemicals conglomerate."
"I have repeatedly said I will never sell Agrofert. I have repeatedly said I will resolve the conflict of interest in accordance with Czech and European laws, Babis, whose net worth is estimated $3.9bn (2.9bn), said. This is not like selling a roll in a bakery. His remarks came after the Czech president, Petr Pavel, on Wednesday said the 71-year-old populist must explain publicly how he will eliminate conflicts of interest arising from his business activities before he can be appointed prime minister."
Andrej Babis refused to sell his Agrofert conglomerate while pledging to resolve conflicts of interest under Czech and European law. Babis's ANO party won the most seats in October but lacked a parliamentary majority. President Petr Pavel demanded a public explanation of how Babis will eliminate conflicts arising from his business interests before appointing him prime minister, citing constitutional requirements to consider possible conflicts and resolutions. Agrofert's several hundred companies receive national and EU farming subsidies and public contracts across central Europe. Czech law bars government ministers from receiving public aid or contracts. Transparency International said Babis must sell, refuse public contracts, or stay out of government.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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