President Petr Pavel will appoint ANO leader Andrej Babiš as prime minister on Tuesday, December 9, after the billionaire announced that he would step away from his business empire Agrofert to resolve a conflict of interest.

The move clears the final obstacle following ANO’s victory in October’s parliamentary election and its subsequent coalition deal with the Freedom and Direct Democracy party and Motorists for Themselves.

Babiš confirmed the decision in a video message on Thursday evening, saying he would “irrevocably give up” Agrofert and have no contact with the conglomerate going forward.

The business group, which includes more than 200 companies and is one of the country’s largest recipients of EU subsidies, has been at the centre of his legal and political battles for years.

“Of course, I could have left politics after winning the election and lived a comfortable life,” Babiš told voters. “But I am convinced you would see it as a betrayal. That is why I have decided to give up Agrofert forever. I will not own it again, I will not profit from it, and I will not communicate with it.”

According to the plan he outlined, Agrofert’s shares will be moved into an independent trust fund managed by a trustee and overseen by a separate protector. Babiš said the company will be inherited only by his descendants after his death.

In his response, President Pavel welcomed the clarity. “I appreciate the understandable way in which Andrej Babiš has fulfilled our agreement and publicly announced how he will resolve his conflict of interest,” he said, adding that he would swear in the new prime minister on December 9.

All three parties in the incoming Czech coalition are critical of the EU, particularly on migration and environmental legislation, and are expected to reassess the country’s support for Ukraine.

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The coalition agreement foresees a 16-member Cabinet, with ANO controlling eight ministries alongside the premiership. Motorists for Themselves would take four seats, while Freedom and Direct Democracy would hold three.

Czech law bars government officials and their close relatives from owning or controlling businesses that pose a conflict between public duties and private interests. Similar rules exist at the EU level. While officials may still hold assets, they must ensure these interests do not interfere with their responsibilities.

Babiš faced extensive scrutiny during his first term as prime minister from 2017 to 2021. At the time he also placed Agrofert in trust funds, but both Czech courts and the European Commission later concluded that he continued to influence the company, putting him in violation of EU conflict-of-interest rules.

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