Czechia will go ahead with the purchase of 24 American F-35 fighter jets but is seeking to improve the conditions of the deal, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Thursday. “We will definitely want to work on this and improve the contract, because the project is at such a stage that it must continue,” Babiš told journalists following a visit to Čáslav air base. “I certainly see a great opportunity to improve the terms of the contract, especially in terms of financing and, of course, in terms of budgeting regarding exchange rate differences,” he added. The deal to purchase the jets was agreed to by Czechia’s previous government, led by Petr Fiala, in 2023. Babiš and his right-wing populist party ANO campaigned on criticism of deal, calling the jets “useless and overpriced,” and vowed to reconsider the agreement. His post-election statements, however, indicated a more pragmatic approach. The decision is likely to come as good news to U.S. President Donald Trump, who pressured Babiš to move ahead with the deal shortly after his inauguration in December. “Andrej knows how to get deals done, and I expected incredible things from him, including on F-35s. Congratulations Andrej!” Trump said in a Dec. 17 post on social media.

Czech President Petr Pavel on Tuesday accused Foreign Minister Petr Macinka of blackmail in an extraordinary dispute over the government’s controversial pick for environment minister. The rift between Pavel and Macinka points to a deeper divide in Czech politics, pitting Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s anti-establishment, right-wing coalition government against a staunchly pro-Western president and former NATO general committed to the alliance and the EU. “He can have peace if I get [right-wing populist Filip] Turek at the Environment Ministry. If not, I’ll burn bridges in a way that will end up in political science textbooks as an extreme case of cohabitation,” Macinka wrote in a text message to Pavel’s adviser, adding that he has the support of the populist prime minister and the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), the other coalition partner. Macinka added that the president will be “surprised by the consequences” if he “does nothing, or at least refuses to enter into negotiations over Turek,” adding that “he is ready to brutally fight with the president for Turek.” Pavel, who holds veto power over ministerial appointments, blocked Turek from becoming environment minister over his embroilment in various scandals. “I consider the foreign minister’s words in the text messages to be an attempt at blackmail. I regard that as unacceptable and, under our democratic conditions, absolutely intolerable,” Pavel said in a press conference Tuesday. Pavel, who published the text messages addressed to his adviser, said he will contact the police, which confirmed it has received the report. Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Macinka rejected claims of blackmail, accused the president of overstepping constitutional limits by vetoing Turek and threatened Pavel’s participation in July’s NATO summit. ‘HOSTAGE TO PERSONAL ANIMOSITIES’ Turek, honorary president of the right-wing populist Motorists for Themselves party from which Macinka also hails, has been investigated for sexual assault, racist, sexist, and homophobic Facebook posts, and an image of him making a Nazi salute, all of which he denies. Petr Macinka rejected claims of blackmail, accused the president of overstepping constitutional limits by vetoing Turek and threatened Petr Pavel’s participation in July’s NATO summit. | Martin Divisek/EPA “If he really has the support of the Prime Minister … then Petr Macinka’s statements are not only an illustration of the new government’s approach to power-sharing in our constitutional order, but also proof that the fundamental issues of our foreign and security policy have become hostage to personal animosities and interests,” the president said Tuesday. Pavel previously noted that strong pro-NATO and pro-EU stances, along with safeguarding the country’s democratic institutions and respecting the constitution, will be key factors in his decision-making regarding the proposed Cabinet. Babiš said in a post on X that Macinka’s words were “unfortunate” but refuted claims about blackmail. “It was in a private communication with his adviser, so it definitely isn’t blackmail,” Babiš said. Pavel’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Macinka’s office said the minister will speak at a press conference later. Jakob Weizman contributed to this report.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects “incredible things” from Czechia’s Andrej Babiš, including on an American fighter jet deal that the new prime minister had vowed to reconsider. “It is great to see Andrej Babiš appointed again as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Together, we will once again achieve Great Success on Defense, Energy, and Illegal Immigration — Just as we have done during our First Terms in Office,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Andrej knows how to get Deals done, and I expected incredible things from him, including on F-35s. Congratulations Andrej!” he added. Babiš on Wednesday told journalists he was “glad” the president congratulated him in this way. Czechia’s previous government, led by Petr Fiala, approved the purchase of 24 American F-35 fighter jets in 2023. Babiš and his right-wing populist party ANO campaigned on criticism of the deal, calling the jets “useless and overpriced.” In its election manifesto, ANO called for “reasonable investments in defense,” and said the party would “reconsider costly acquisitions,” including U.S.-made F-35 aircraft. Before the decisive October victory, it was unclear whether Babiš — a fellow billionaire who adopted both U.S. president’s rhetoric and red Trump-style “Strong Czechia” baseball cap — would risk angering the U.S. president by abandoning the deal. And indeed, post-election statements indicate a more pragmatic approach. “The purchase of American F-35 aircraft is a done deal, but everything must be done to ensure maximum involvement of Czech industry,” said ANO deputy chairman Karel Havlíček in November. Other countries including Spain, Switzerland, and Canada have had their own doubts about purchasing American F-35 due to the Trump administration’s behavior toward Europe, including questioning NATO’s collective defense pledge.

Czech President Petr Pavel on Monday officially swore in the country’s new right-wing coalition government led by populist billionaire Andrej Babiš, which could join ranks with Hungary and Slovakia in opposing aid to Ukraine. The appointment ends weeks of uncertainty over whether the president would approve Babiš as Czechia’s new leader. Pavel said last week he would name Babiš prime minister after the tycoon pledged to divest his ownership of Agrofert, an agricultural conglomerate and a major recipient of EU subsidies. Babiš’ comeback (he previously served as PM from 2017 to 2021) poses a fresh headache for Europe as it struggles to finance aid to war-ravaged Ukraine. Over the weekend Babiš came out against a proposal to finance Kyiv via a loan based on Russia’s frozen assets, joining the growing list of countries that have rejected the instrument. “The European Commission must find other ways to finance Ukraine,” Babiš announced Saturday on Facebook. “Our coffers are empty, and we need every crown [unit of Czech currency] we have for our citizens.” The billionaire’s previous term in power was marked by clashes with Brussels over his conflict of interest related to Agrofert. Since then Babiš has steered his ANO party firmly to the right, joined the far-right European Parliament grouping Patriots for Europe, and threatened to cancel a Prague-led ammunition initiative that has delivered over 1 million rounds to Kyiv. Babiš won a parliamentary election in October and proceeded to clinch a coalition deal with the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and right-wing Motorists. All three parties share a commitment to rolling back support for climate measures such as the ETS2 emissions trading system, and to opposing Brussels’ plans to ban combustion engines. ANO will hold nine ministerial posts in the new Cabinet, including the premiership, with the Motorists taking four and the SPD three. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony Pavel promised to closely monitor how the incoming government safeguards democratic institutions, including the media, the judiciary and the country’s security forces. Babiš earlier raised concerns about media freedom with his plan to reform public broadcasting by abolishing license fees and funding it through the state budget. The president also noted that Czechia’s key safety and economic guarantees stem from its EU and NATO membership. “That is why we should approach membership in these institutions with the utmost responsibility and be responsible, constructive members rather than rejecters,” Pavel said.

Europe’s populist worries will intensify when right-wing billionaire Andrej Babiš becomes Czech prime minister today. Czech President Petr Pavel is set to appoint Babiš to the position after resolving longstanding conflict-of-interest issues related to the PM-elect’s conglomerate, Agrofert. Babiš and his future government have sparked fears in Brussels, where his opponents worry that alliances he could form at the European level may tilt Central Europe in an anti-establishment direction. Combined with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico, Babiš has the potential to jam up the legislative machinery in Brussels as it works on key files. Babiš regularly speaks of reviving the so-called Visegrád Four group, something both Orbán and Fico hope for, after it became largely dormant following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A new Visegrád grouping would likely count three rather than the four members it had after being founded as a cultural and political alliance in the 1990s. Poland’s current center-right prime minister, Donald Tusk, is staunchly pro-Ukraine and is thus unlikely to enter any entente with Orbán. Polish President Karol Nawrocki of the right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) party, though, has been talking up the prospects for Visegrád. Babiš’ government — his Patriots for Europe-aligned ANO party is in a coalition with the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy and right-wing Motorists for Themselves parties — is also likely to fight against EU-level pro-environment initiatives. That could cause issues for climate files like ETS2, the Emissions Trading System for road and buildings, and Brussels’ bid to ban combustion engines. Czech President Petr Pavel is set to appoint Andrej Babiš to the position after resolving longstanding conflict-of-interest issues related to the PM-elect’s conglomerate, Agrofert. | Martin Divisek/EPA Following his decisive victory in the Czech election Oct. 3-4, however, Babiš has toned down his previous remarks about canceling the Czech ammunition initiative in support of Ukraine, raising questions about whether the campaign rhetoric will translate into actual policy reversals. The extent to which Czechia becomes another EU disrupter might become clearer later this week as Babiš travels to Brussels to take part in the European Council — assuming the rest of his cabinet is appointed by then.

Czech right-wing billionaire Andrej Babiš will be the new prime minister in Prague after announcing Thursday evening that he would dispose of a potential conflict of interest. Babiš’ ANO party won the Czech parliamentary election in October and formed a coalition with the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy and right-wing Motorists for Themselves parties. But the proposed prime minister and coalition ministers must be green-lit by Czech President Petr Pavel before taking office. Babiš has been entangled in legal woes, both at home and abroad, concerning his agriculture business empire Agrofert, which is a major recipient of EU subsidies. “Of course, I could have left politics after winning the election and had a comfortable life, or ANO could have appointed someone else as prime minister,” Babiš said Thursday night in a video address to voters. “But I am convinced that you would perceive it as a betrayal,” he added. “That is why I have decided to irrevocably give up the Agrofert company, with which I will no longer have anything to do, I will never own it, I will not have any economic relations with it, and I will not be in any contact with it.” Babiš’ ascension to the Czech premiership further tilts Central Europe in an anti-establishment direction, as the populist tycoon joins Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico as potential thorns in Brussels’ side on key EU files. In stepping back from Agrofert, however, Babiš made clear the importance of retaking the prime ministerial role. The holding’s shares will now be managed through a trust structure by an independent administrator. “This step, which goes far beyond the requirements of the law, was not easy for me. I have been building my company for almost half my life and I am very sorry that I will also have to step down as chairman of the Agrofert Foundation,” Babiš said. “My children will only get Agrofert after my death,” he added. In response, Pavel announced that he would appoint Babiš as prime minister on Dec. 9. Andrej Babiš has been entangled in legal woes, both at home and abroad, concerning his agriculture business empire Agrofert, which is a major recipient of EU subsidies. | Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images “I appreciate the clear and understandable manner in which Andrej Babiš has fulfilled our agreement and publicly announced how he will resolve his conflict of interest,” Pavel said. Pavel previously noted that strong pro-NATO and pro-EU stances, along with safeguarding the country’s democratic institutions, will be key factors in his decision-making regarding the proposed Cabinet. Czech conflict of interest law bars officials (or their close relatives) from owning or controlling a business that would create a conflict with their governing function. This doesn’t mean ministers can’t own businesses, just that they must prioritize the public interest over their own. Similar rules exist at the EU level. When he was prime minister the first time round, from 2017 to 2021, Babiš placed Agrofert — which consists of more than 250 companies — in trust funds, but the Czech courts as well as the European Commission in 2021 concluded that he still retained influence over them and was therefore in violation of EU conflict-of-interest rules.

Czech President Petr Pavel said that populist politician Filip Turek is not a suitable pick to be Prague’s environment minister — unless he explains himself over a series of controversies. “These objections stem mainly from what is being discussed in the public sphere. Of course, I respect the fact that we have the presumption of innocence, that Filip Turek is not being prosecuted. But we do expect a bit more from politicians than just not being in conflict with the law,” Pavel told Czech TV on Monday. Turek, honorary president of the right-wing populist Motorists for Themselves party, part of the government coalition, has faced allegations of sexual assault from an ex-girlfriend, which he calls “absurd,” and of making racist, sexist and homophobic comments on Facebook, which he denies. Police are investigating both matters.  “I think at the very least it’s necessary for Filip Turek to explain absolutely thoroughly and responsibly everything that’s going on around him, because otherwise it creates the impression that he really isn’t a suitable person for any ministerial position,” Pavel added. Pavel stopped short of confirming whether he would use the constitutional veto to block Turek’s appointment. In an earlier statement, Pavel said that he would refuse nominees advocating for Czechia’s withdrawal from NATO or the EU, noting that protecting democratic institutions remains another crucial criterion for him. Pavel will this week hold one-to-one discussions with the proposed ministers introduced last week by election winner Andrej Babiš. Turek is not the only candidate facing scrutiny. Babiš’ own potential appointment as prime minister has raised concerns, particularly over a possible conflict of interest related to his ownership of the Agrofert agricultural empire. Pavel said he is prepared to appoint Babiš within a week, provided he clarifies how he plans to dispose of the potential conflict. Babiš has so far not announced his proposed solution to the issue, but said selling Agrofert is out of the question.

Czechia’s populist figurehead Andrej Babiš on Wednesday unveiled a governing coalition of mavericks, from a motormouth racing driver to the former frontman of a funk-rock group. Now the real horse trading begins. The country’s president, Petr Pavel, ultimately appoints the prime minister and the Cabinet — and he is allowed to say no to the proposals from Babiš, who won the Czech election in October. Pavel — who will begin individual consultations Friday with proposed ministers — previously noted that strong pro-NATO and pro-EU stances, along with safeguarding the country’s democratic institutions, will be key factors in his decision-making. Babiš, despite legal troubles of his own, is still on track to be the next Czech PM after sealing his coalition deal with the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy and right-wing Motorists for Themselves parties. After the big coalition reveal, POLITICO highlights some of the most controversial ministers set to make up Prague’s populist government. FILIP TUREK — THE RACING DRIVER PROBED BY POLICE Filip Turek, the face of the Motorists party who has courted controversy ever since being elected as a member of the European Parliament last year, was selected to be Czechia’s new environment minister. He’s faced allegations of sexual assault from an ex-girlfriend, which he calls “absurd,” and making racist, sexist, and homophobic comments on Facebook, which he denies. Police are investigating both matters. A former racing driver, he has also made a name for himself as a keen collector of expensive cars and the founder and chairman of Czechia’s Jaguar Club. Turek has voted against green legislation in the European Parliament as an MEP for the right-wing Patriots for Europe group, from tighter rules on genetically modified crops to restrictions on combustion-engine cars. Turek also backed efforts to water down the EU’s incoming deforestation regulation (EUDR), arguing that he wants to ensure “that EU policies do not undermine industrial competitiveness through overly restrictive environmental measures.” Babiš told reporters Wednesday at Prague Castle that Pavel “still has a problem with Mr. Turek,” who is considered to be the most polarizing ministerial nominee. PETR MACINKA — THE CLIMATE CHANGE SKEPTIC Petr Macinka, leader of the Motorists party, has been selected as foreign minister. He made a bold symbolic entrance when meeting the president on Oct. 6 in a massive Ram 1500 pickup, signaling his opposition to the EU’s Green Deal and the 2035 combustion engine ban. Last year, Macinka said that if his party makes it into the government “green blood will run,” and recently stated that “the idea that humans are the sole cause of climate change is funny.” He wants to leave the Paris climate agreement and roll back protection for the Soutok protected landscape area, part of the so-called Moravian Amazon. Macinka is a supporter of the transatlantic military alliance, admitting on the campaign trail that his only fear is “the stirring up of sentiments about leaving NATO, because NATO isn’t some organization that tries to educate us, it’s a defense pact that ensures collective security.” In Ukraine, Macinka has tried to project a clear pro-Western, anti-Russian line — but Turek’s position on Ukraine continues to weaken the party’s credibility, as he recently told POLITICO that he wants to slash military aid to Kyiv and pursue a noninterventionist approach to avoid any escalation with Moscow. OTO KLEMPÍŘ — THE ROCK STAR TURNED POLITICIAN Another incoming minister, Oto Klempíř, has drawn criticism from 500 Czech artists, who signed an open letter opposing any Motorists party candidate leading the culture ministry, fearing it could threaten artistic freedom and echo developments in neighboring Slovakia. Filip Turek has voted against green legislation in the European Parliament as an MEP for the right-wing Patriots for Europe group, from tighter rules on genetically modified crops to restrictions on combustion-engine cars. | Martin Divisek/EPA Bratislava’s culture ministry, under the populist government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, slashed funding for independent cultural institutions and transformed the country’s national broadcaster, RTVS, into a new entity under political control. “The party Motorists for Themselves … offers a dismantling of what currently works within the cultural sector. It rejects a series of measures aimed at improving working conditions in culture and explicitly expresses distrust toward the grant system and independent expert committees — raising concerns about potential political control over artistic production,” the letter read. Klempíř, an artist himself and former frontman of the well-known Czech funk-rock band J.A.R., was dismissed from the band in August after announcing his candidacy for the Motorists. The potential minister urged his critics to wait and see how he performed in the culture role, in a social media post in mid-October. MARTIN ŠEBESTYÁN — THE SMALL FARMERS’ NIGHTMARE Martin Šebestyán, an independent expert nominated by SPD, who is on deck to be Czechia’s next agriculture minister, has a history with Babiš’ company Agrofert, having overseen Common Agricultural Policy subsidy distributions as head of the State Agricultural Intervention Fund. Last year, Petr Macinka (right) said that if his party makes it into the government “green blood will run,” and recently stated that “the idea that humans are the sole cause of climate change is funny.” | Martin Divisek/EPA He is currently the head of the the Initiative of Agricultural and Food Enterprises, which brings together the largest agricultural concerns in the country (including Agrofert). Smaller farmers are warning against Šebestyán’s nomination. “It is difficult to imagine a greater denial of the legitimate interests of farmers than the active nomination of Martin Šebestyán to the role of representative of the ministry of agriculture,” said Jaroslav Šebek, the chairman of the Association of Private Farming, in a statement to POLITICO. The biggest agriculture unions support him getting the post, however. In 2021, the European Commission ruled that Babiš, prime minister at the time, had a conflict of interest as he continued to control Agrofert and its subsidies despite placing his assets in trusts. Although Czechia wasn’t required to repay the EU funds, the state absorbed the loss, and in August this year the agriculture ministry ordered Agrofert to return €200 million in subsidies. Critics fear the recovery effort could stall with Šebestyán in the agriculture post. Šebestyán declined to comment to multiple Czech outlets that have written about him since the election. ANDREJ BABIŠ — THE MAN HIMSELF Babiš remains mired in controversy, particularly over an ongoing €2 million EU subsidy fraud case. He is suspected by Czech authorities of fiddling ownership documents so that his agriculture empire Agrofert qualifies to receive subsidies intended for medium-sized businesses. After his earlier acquittal was overturned by Prague’s High Court in June, he now awaits a new verdict from the district court. Regardless of what the court decides, Babiš’ ownership of Agrofert remains a potential conflict of interest that could prevent the president appointing him as prime minister unless he can prove there’s no conflict. He is also being investigated in France over allegations he used shell companies to buy property and a luxury château on the French Riviera in 2009, a revelation that came to light as part of the Pandora Papers exposé. Babiš denies all the allegations.

Andrej Babiš, the right-wing populist who on Monday formed Czechia’s next government, wants to derail EU plans on curbing emissions, according to the government’s coalition program, seen by POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook. Babiš and his ANO movement formed a coalition with the right-wing Motorists for Themselves party and the nationalist Freedom and Direct Democracy. Babiš is expected to make his return to the European Council table at the next gathering of EU leaders in Brussels on Dec. 18-19. Critics fear that Czechia could become a new bête noire for the EU alongside Viktor Orbán’s Hungary and Robert Fico’s Slovakia. “I believe that if we look at his statements and his allies in Europe — like Viktor Orbán and what he has done with Hungary — he [Babiš] will start pushing the Czech Republic toward the margins,” Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský told POLITICO. While Babiš still needs to be formally nominated as prime minister by the Czech president, he already has grand plans for his EU comeback: unraveling the bloc’s green policies. “The Green Deal is unsustainable in its current form, which is why we will promote its fundamental revision,” the draft coalition program reads.   The new government plans to push back against the implementation of a new market that would put a price on heating and fuel emissions (dubbed ETS2). The new emissions trading system is a cornerstone of the EU’s efforts to slash planet-warming emissions from the building and transport sectors and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The Czech plan also states the government “will initiate a European-level reassessment” of the original emissions trading scheme, ETS1, which covers pollution from heavy industries and the energy sector. EU governments have already voted in favor of ETS2 and it is due to come into effect in 2027. However, the draft Czech government program includes a threat not to enact the rules: “In the case of ETS2 emission allowances for households and transport, we are prepared not to implement this system into Czech legislation and to prevent highly negative social impacts on society.” The draft also reveals that a future Babiš government views an EU ban on the sale and production of cars with combustion engines from 2035 as “unacceptable.” “The European Union has its limits — it does not have the right to impose decisions on member states that interfere with their internal sovereignty,” the draft reads. The ban was approved in 2023 by all member countries (despite last-minute resistance from Germany) but has proven controversial. Babiš is not alone in wanting to challenge EU Green Deal rules. The previous Czech government also requested a delay in ETS2 implementation, and Estonia called for it to be scrapped. Babiš may find an ally in Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who trumpeted his success in inserting a “revision clause” into the EU plans to extend a carbon-trading system at a leaders’ gathering last month.  While the revision clause demanded by EU leaders does not explicitly call for a weaker ETS2, Tusk believes it will open the door to a delay of the measure. Babiš intends to personally oversee EU policy — abolishing the role of minister for European affairs and placing responsibility for EU matters in a department “subordinate” to the prime minister. The parties in the coalition will be expected to sign off on the government program. Then comes a period of wrangling as Babiš is expected to try to install Filip Turek, the controversial honorary president of the Motorists’ party, as foreign minister — a move President Petr Pavel may oppose, according to an EU diplomat.  Czech news outlet Deník N reported last month that Turek — a former member of the European Parliament and racing driver — had made racist, sexist and homophobic comments on Facebook before entering politics. Turek denied being behind the posts in a video posted on Facebook.

Czechia’s likely next prime minister, populist Andrej Babiš, on Monday signed a coalition agreement with the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and right-wing Motorists for Themselves (Motoristé sobě) parties. The coalition will hold 108 out of 200 seats in parliament’s lower house. ANO holds 80 seats, with SPD on 15 and the Motorists on 13. Babiš is a billionaire agricultural tycoon whose success in recent parliamentary elections has sparked fear in Brussels, and among his opponents, over antiestablishment alliances he could form at European level. And despite domestic concerns the mogul might have a potential business conflict of interest, Czech President Petr Pavel tapped Babiš to form the government last week — a step toward being officially nominated as prime minister-designate. Babiš and his right-wing populist ANO movement are likely the least radical party in the future government, which looks set to scale back support for the EU’s migration and climate initiatives like ETS2, the emissions trading system, and fight against Brussels’ bid to ban combustion engines. Following the Czech election in early October, the car-centric Motorists came under the political spotlight after their prospective foreign minister, Filip Turek, was embroiled in a scandal over alleged racist, sexist and homophobic comments posted on his Facebook account before he entered politics. Turek denied being behind the posts in a video posted on Facebook. Babiš’ potential environment minister and chairman of the Motorists, Petr Macinka, also sparked a backlash after he downplayed the human impact on climate change by claiming it is “pure propaganda.” Once a coalition of at least 101 seats in the Chamber of Deputies is established in Prague, the president appoints the prime minister and other ministers proposed by the prime minister, but the government must still win a vote of confidence among lawmakers within 30 days.