Czech Republic: Citizens call for Prime Minister Andrej Babis resignation

Updated: Dec 18, 2019, 08:18 PM(IST)

The hour-long march with 15,000 protestors demonstrating against Prime Minister Andrej Babis began from Prague's central Wenceslas Square to the Government Office on Tuesday.
 

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Fraud case against PM

Protests were called against Prime Minister Andrej Babis after the country's top prosecutor reopened a case against Babis, suspecting that he hid ownership of one of his firms a decade ago so it would qualify for a 2 million euro subsidy. 

 

(Photograph:Reuters)

European Commission's report

According to an audit by the European Commission, Babis had contol over his business empire, Agrofert, which he had built over the past two decades and that put him into trust funds before he became the Prime Minister. 

(Photograph:Reuters)

Series of Demonstrations

The civic group Million Moments for Democracy has sought a series of demonstrations to put pressure on the business premier. 

Brussels pointed out a conflict of interest between the Prime Minister's business and political role. 

(Photograph:Reuters)

Resign!

Million Moments for Democracy has demanded his former business empire, Agrofert, be cut off from European Union subsidies and public contracts and have called on him to resign from the office.

"We are here because we don't want to tolerate the continued disintegration of the political culture in our country," Million Moment's leader Mikulas Minar told crowds who chanted "Resignation" before marching.

(Photograph:Reuters)

No wrongdoings

Agrofert is a major recipient of EU Money from farm subsidies to project-based finance and environmental investments.

Babis, on the other hand, has denied the wrongdoings and has said that he met legal requirements on conflict of interest with the funds.
 

(Photograph:Reuters)

Solid lead in polls

Babis's ANO party has held about 30 per cent support in political polls, double his closest competitor, despite the protests. 

(Photograph:Reuters)

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