Now you can follow the latest news for free through our Facebook page
Click here to register now
Prague: Former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, accused of corruption, announced on Sunday that he will run for presidential elections next year.
Babis, who was prime minister between 2017 and 2021, is on trial for a corruption case linked to $ 2 million in EU aid.
“I will run for the presidency of the Czech Republic,” the 68-year-old MP said in a Facebook post.
Babish is the leader of the populist movement Ano (Yes), which narrowly lost last year’s general election due to a three-party center-right coalition led by current Prime Minister Peter Fiala.
Babish is accused of removing a farm he owns from his Agrofert Foods, Chemicals and Media group in 2007 to enable it to benefit from aid granted in 2007 to small businesses.
immunity
On Twitter, Fiala indicated that Babish is seeking immunity from his presidential candidacy, knowing that eligibility will occur in January.
According to the Czech constitution, an incumbent president cannot be impeached.
According to polls, former General Peter Pavel, who headed the NATO Military Committee between 2015 and 2018, will be Babish’s most important competitor.
surveys
The winner will succeed veteran left-wing president Milos Zeman, who is forbidden by the constitution from running for a new term after serving two terms since 2013.
Despite Babish’s accusation, his “Anu” party leads the polls with about 30 percent of voting intentions, while Fiala’s Democratic Civic Party is second with about 20 percent.
