Czech Republic: Babis re-appointed as prime minister June 6 /update 1

Event

On Wednesday, June 6, Czech President Milos Zeman re-appointed Andrej Babis as prime minister. Previously on Tuesday, June 5, thousands of people demonstrated in cities across the country against Babis’s anticipated appointment. Further protests, particularly in Prague, are likely in the coming weeks as Babis attempts to form a government.

Context

Babis and his ANO party won the most seats in the October 2017 parliamentary elections but not enough to form a majority government. In January 2018, his minority government lost a no-confidence vote and he is been running a caretaker administration since then. Babis is the second-richest man in the country and has been accused of corrupt business dealings and tax evasion.

Advice

Individuals in the Czech Republic, particularly in Prague, are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a precaution and to keep abreast of the situation.