Czechia forms coalition government, Babiš outlines cabinet roles
Leader of the ANO political movement and former Prime Minister of the Czechia, Andrej Babiš (Photo: Getty Images)
The winner of the parliamentary elections in Czechia, the ANO party, has reached an agreement with the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and the Motorists (Motoristé) party on the structure of a potential 16-member government, according to Radio Prague International.
ANO leader Andrej Babiš announced on social media that the agreement on the new government was reached after about five hours of negotiations.
Under the plan, ANO will hold nine cabinet seats, including the position of prime minister, while SPD will have three and Motoristé will take four.
SPD will also nominate the next Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, according to a joint statement by the parties.
ANO will lead the ministries of Finance, Industry, Health, Labor, Education, Interior, Regional Development, and Justice.
SPD will take charge of Defense, Agriculture, and Transport.
Motoristé will oversee Foreign Affairs, Culture, Environment, and a new Ministry of Sport, Prevention, and Public Health.
There will be no ministers for European Affairs, Legislation, Science, Research, or Innovation.
Coalition negotiations on political priorities will continue next week.
Although the names of ministers have not yet been announced, the new government is expected to take office on November 3.
Babiš’s stance on weapons for Ukraine
Andrej Babiš has repeatedly criticized the Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine, saying it should be abolished.
On October 8, Babiš made a strong statement about ending arms supplies to Ukraine, pledging that not a single crown will go to weapons for Ukraine.
The next day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with Babiš.
During the call, Zelenskyy informed him about Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to achieve a just peace together with the US, Europe, and other partners, as well as about the overall diplomatic situation.
“We agreed to discuss our further cooperation during a personal meeting in the near future,” Zelenskyy concluded.
