ANO committee backs further coalition talks with Social Democrats

ANO’s national committee has backed further negotiations with the Social Democrats on forming a coalition government, the party’s deputy leader, Jaroslav Faltýnek, said on Tuesday evening. Mr. Faltýnek said a deal on a minority coalition, which would be supported by the Communists, should be ready by the end of the week.

The Social Democrats are pushing for a proviso under which ANO chief and acting PM Andrej Babiš would have to step down if found guilty of abusing EU subsidies. They also want to see the position of Freedom and Direct Democracy on lower house committees weakened. However, ANO have as yet been unwilling to accede to these demands.

ANO and the Social Democrats appeared on the verge of striking a coalition deal previously only for negotiations to collapse.

Author: Ian Willoughby