Czech coalition government wins parliamentary support after being sworn in

Summary:

Czech President Miloš Zeman formally appointed Andrej Babiš as the country’s prime minister on 27 June 2018, ending eight months of political deadlock since the billionaire businessman’s center-right ANO party won parliamentary elections.

+ Czech legislative election, October 2017

Mr Babiš was installed as head of government on 12 July, after his minority two-party coalition (also including the Social Democrats) survived a parliamentary confidence vote thanks to the support of the Czech Communist Party.

Further information:

Andrej Babiš was unable to form a parliamentary majority as most parties rejected working with the businessman while he faced a police investigation of alleged fraud, which he kept denying. The Prime Minister vowed to focus on good relations with the European Union and NATO allies, while keeping an anti-immigration stance which is broadly shared by Czech neighbours in Central Europe.

Parliamentary support was achieved after an agreement with the Communist Party, which for the first time were in a position to exert political influence since the communist regime was ousted in the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

Prague Daily Monitor, 12.07.18: Zeman backs government before confidence vote http://www.praguemonitor.com/2018/07/12/zeman-backs-government-confidence-vote

Prague Radio, 12.07.18: Opposition: Communist-backed government spells end of era http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/opposition-communist-backed-government-spells-end-of-era

France24, 12.07.18: Czech government survives confidence vote with Communist backing http://www.france24.com/en/20180712-czech-government-andrej-babis-survives-no-confidence-vote-with-communist-backing

Reuters, 27.06.18: New Czech government has shaky support, strong anti-migration stance https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1JN0R9

The Guardian, 12.07.18: Czech communists return to government as power brokers https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/12/czech-communists-return-to-government-as-power-brokers

Politico, 12.07.18: Czech parliament confirms Babiš minority government https://www.politico.eu/article/andrej-babis-czech-parliament-confirms-minority-government/

Euro|topics, July 2018: Czechia: Communists tolerate Babiš government https://www.eurotopics.net/en/202891/czechia-communists-tolerate-babis-government

EurActiv, 25.06.18: Pro-Russia Communists to back new Czech minority cabinet https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/pro-russia-communists-to-back-new-czech-minority-cabinet/

EurActiv, 18.06.18: New Czech government in jeopardy over foreign minister nomination https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/new-czech-government-in-jeopardy-over-foreign-minister-nomination/

Politico, 27.06.18: Andrej Babiš sworn in as head of Czech minority government https://www.politico.eu/article/andrej-babis-sworn-in-as-head-of-czech-minority-government/

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