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Got a painkiller? Because Brussels has a new migraine.
First it was Viktor Orbán in Hungary. Then Robert Fico in Slovakia. Today, Andrej Babiš returns as the prime minister of the Czech Republic.
Following Babiš’ electoral victory, President Petr Pavel blocked his appointment until he agreed to transfer his massive chemical and food empire, Agrofert, to independent administrators.
To rule, Babiš invited the Motorists, a fierce climate sceptic party, and the SPD, which openly opposes the EU and NATO.
Hungarian prime minister’s critics have been wondering, is Babiš Orbán 2.0? Not quite.
Orbán is an ideologue. Babiš is a CEO, though he says what people want to hear.
In the new 16-member cabinet, the Motorists party gets four seats and the SPD gets three. But Babiš kept nine key posts — including his own seat — strictly for his people.
In corporate terms, he simply ensured he held the controlling interest to keep the hardliners in check.
Babiš talks tough on Ukraine support, yet experts say he will not stop Czech arms factories from selling ammunition to Kyiv. Why? Because it is a profitable business.
He will fight the Green Deal, yes—but mainly to protect the Czech car industry, which makes up 10% of the country’s GDP and a quarter of exports.
Finally, he might threaten the EU house to get a better deal. But hopefully, he will not burn it down. He owns too much expensive furniture inside it.