“After winning the election, I could have left politics for a comfortable life, or ANO could have appointed someone else as prime minister,” Babiš stated on Thursday night in a video address to voters.
“But I believe you would see it as a betrayal,” he continued. “Therefore, I have decided to permanently relinquish the Agrofert company. I will have no involvement, ownership, or economic relations with it, nor will I have any contact with it.”
Babiš’ rise to Czech prime minister shifts Central Europe further towards an anti-establishment trend, aligning him with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico as potential challenges to Brussels on key EU issues.
By stepping away from Agrofert, Babiš emphasized the significance of resuming the prime ministerial position. The company’s shares will now be managed by an independent administrator through a trust structure.
“This decision, which exceeds legal requirements, was tough for me. I have spent nearly half my life building my company, and I deeply regret having to step down as chairman of the Agrofert Foundation,” Babiš said.
“My children will inherit Agrofert only after my passing,” he concluded.
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