Czech premier’s support will back him against protests

Significance

Widespread concern over the state of Czech democracy has been fuelled by European Commission auditors’ reports pointing to possible conflicts of interest between Babis’s official position and his business interests. The reports’ findings have further bolstered the anti-Babis protests of recent weeks, as Czech politics experiences turbulence following the European Parliament (EP) elections.

Impacts

• Changes in the Czech judicial system align with the trend of democratic backsliding in Poland and Hungary.
• The country’s reputation as a reliable EU member state will suffer further setbacks, reducing its influence.
• The latest developments may lead to bigger cuts in EU funding for the Czech Republic in the next multiannual financial framework.