This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
June 20, 2020 - Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis is at the center of a controversy surrounding his alleged conflict of interest and misuse of EU subsidies.
Babis, the fourth wealthiest Czech, transferred his Agrofert holding company to trust funds in 2017, but data suggests he still benefits from the company's profits.
European lawmakers have called on the European Commission to introduce measures to prevent conflict of interest, citing Babis's dual role as a politician and business owner receiving EU subsidies.
Babis has denied the allegations, stating that European lawmakers have 'incited steps concerning specific criminal proceedings on Czech territory without specific knowledge or evidence.'
He also accused lawmakers of 'political and media pressure on the Czech judiciary and interference in internal affairs.'
Additionally, Babis is facing police charges over EU subsidy fraud linked to a farm near Prague, which he allegedly took out of Agrofert to make it eligible for a subsidy for smaller companies.
EU lawmakers have also criticized Babis for hate speech targeting a European Parliament delegation that visited Prague in February, which he allegedly refused to meet.
