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Czech Republic: EU investigation into aid to fake SMEs
EPP accuses premier Babis again over a 'conflict of interest.
13 January, 15:40
(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, 13 GEN - The European Commission launched
an in-depth investigation into the state aid that the Czech
Republic had given to some agricultural companies, defined as
SMEs, when, in reality, they were large companies.
Agrofert, the company founded by the Czech Prime Minister, Andrej Babiš, has received this type of help in the past, according to allegations by the European People's Party.
Last summer, the European Parliament had also passed a resolution against the Czech leader's interest conflict. At the end of 2020, the European Commission's audit highlighted both the interest conflict and the irregularities in the EU funds' use by the same company.
"The Commission's investigation could resolve a case - said Markus Ferber, head of the EPP for economic affairs -, but the Czech system of allocation of public subsidies depends on a PM who takes advantage from them, and as EPP we will make sure that all fraud on aid to SMEs does not go unnoticed." (ANSA).
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Agrofert, the company founded by the Czech Prime Minister, Andrej Babiš, has received this type of help in the past, according to allegations by the European People's Party.
Last summer, the European Parliament had also passed a resolution against the Czech leader's interest conflict. At the end of 2020, the European Commission's audit highlighted both the interest conflict and the irregularities in the EU funds' use by the same company.
"The Commission's investigation could resolve a case - said Markus Ferber, head of the EPP for economic affairs -, but the Czech system of allocation of public subsidies depends on a PM who takes advantage from them, and as EPP we will make sure that all fraud on aid to SMEs does not go unnoticed." (ANSA).
