President Pavel appoints new government under Prime Minister Andrej Babiš

With the swearing-in of the cabinet under Andrej Babiš, the change of government in the Czech Republic has been formally completed. Seventy-two days after the parliamentary election, the new alliance of ANO, SPD and the Motorists began its work.

The Czech President, Petr Pavel, appointed the new government under Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) in the proposed composition today, Monday, at 9 a.m. Babiš had submitted the ministerial nominees from the parties ANO, SPD and the Motorists to the Head of State following his own appointment last week.

For health reasons, the Motorists’ MP Filip Turek was absent from the appointment ceremony. The acting leadership of the Ministry of the Environment will instead be taken over by the Chairman of the Motorists and newly appointed Foreign Minister Petr Macinka.

The cabinet was appointed 72 days after the parliamentary election. The positions of Deputy Prime Minister were given to Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček and Finance Minister Alena Schillerová (both ANO), Foreign Minister Macinka, and the SPD-nominated Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna. The government itself is to decide who will serve as First Deputy Prime Minister. As part of the appointment ceremony, the ministers took their oath of office; President Pavel also delivered a keynote address.

In his speech, the Head of State stressed the importance of the Czech Republic’s membership of NATO and the European Union. The country, he said, should act within these organisations as a responsible and constructive partner, not as a blocker. He expressed hope that the new government would be perceived internationally as a reliable actor.

Following the appointment, the cabinet proceeded to the Straka Academy, the official residence of the Prime Minister. There, Babiš was received by the outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS), who handed over, among other things, an approximately 80-page report on the state of the country summarising the record of his term in office. The new ministers then convened for an initial technical meeting lasting around one hour.

Under the coalition agreement, ANO holds eight ministerial posts in addition to the office of Prime Minister, four ministries go to the Motorists and three to the SPD. In the Chamber of Deputies, the alliance is supported by a majority of 108 seats. The vote of confidence is scheduled for 13 January.

In recent weeks, President Pavel had personally received all ministerial nominees – with the exception of Filip Turek, who excused himself for health reasons. Pavel nevertheless continues to assume that he will meet him. At the same time, the President has for some time expressed reservations about Turek’s handling of facts, law and rules, and has indicated doubts as to whether this would change. On Monday, the President reiterated that he is not avoiding a meeting, but that one taking place this year is unlikely.