Andrej Babiš is definitively relinquishing control of the Agrofert holding company, which he has spent almost his entire professional life building. In a video posted today on social media, he announced that he will have no ties to the company, will not return to it even after his political career ends, and that his family will not benefit from the holding company in any way.
The shares will be managed by an independent administrator through a trust structure, whose activities will also be supervised by an independent protector. Both persons will be appointed by a third, impartial party. Agrofert will be acquired by Babiš's children only after his death.
Babiš emphasised that his decision goes far beyond the legal requirements and that it is a step he never considered likely. „I will never own Agrofert again, I will have no economic relations or contact with the company.“ he said. According to him, this is an irreversible solution that will ensure that neither he nor his family will profit from the shares.
President Petr Pavel demanded that Babiš clearly resolve the conflict of interest before being appointed prime minister. According to him, Babiš's announcement today fulfils this condition. He also pointed out that his political future was determined by the voters and that he could have left politics after the elections or allowed another prime minister to be appointed. „But the public would perceive that as a betrayal.“ he explained.
According to Babiš, the solution was proposed by independent experts. The administrator and protector will have no ties to the family or Agrofert, and the fund's rules will ensure that the company remains completely outside the influence of Babiš or his relatives. With this step, the ANO chairman is definitively relinquishing control of the holding company, which has been his life's work for decades.
gnews.cz - GH
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