The resolution adopted by the European Parliament on the reopening of the investigation against the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, for misuse of EU funds and potential conflicts of interest “is an act stemming from its powers of budgetary control and democratic oversight, and should be regarded by all EU actors with the utmost respect”, said European Parliament President David Sassoli in a letter to the Czech leader on Tuesday 30 June.
Mr Sassoli stresses that Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) will continue to exercise its responsibilities, “including the assessment of potential conflicts of interest hampering the good and lawful execution of the EU budget”. He expressed his deep concern about the “personal attacks” against some MEPs on the CONT Committee, one of whom is still under police protection along with his family. And he said he is ready to act to guarantee the integrity of the MEPs concerned.
On Saturday 20 June, the Czech Prime Minister criticised Parliament’s “interference” in his country’s internal affairs following Parliament’s adoption of a resolution calling for an end to conflicts of interest, which directly targets him (see EUROPE 12511/25, 12508/9). Mr Babiš is negotiating the post-2020 EU budget on behalf of the Czech Republic although he continues to be the final beneficiary of the Agrofert conglomerate, which receives significant EU financial support. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)