Prague - David Ondracka, director of the Czech branch of global corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI), could become new Interior Minister, while the Finance Ministry should be headed by an "independent expert". These ideas were voiced on Sunday by Andrej Babis, Czech billionaire and chairman of election runner-up ANO 2011, who eventually met with Czech President Milos Zeman.
The Presidential Office's spokeswoman Hana Burianova told Czech Press Agency (CTK) that the meeting had taken place at the request of Babis. "I talked with him about his opinion on my involvement in the government," Babis told CTK in a text message. The billionaire-turned-politician eyes a position in the new cabinet.
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TI director Ondracka said that he is ready to assume the post if all three possible coalition parties agree with his nomination. Ondracka also said that as minister he would try to implement the same anti-corruption policies his NGO has suggested for years.
Babis said that Ondracka would make a good minister. Both men have confirmed that they had discussed the nomination.
So far it is not clear that the post of interior minister will be awarded to an ANO 2011 candidate, because election-winning Social Democrats (CSSD) are also interested in the position. Aktualne.cz's blogger Martin Fendrych wrote in an opinion piece that the CSSD is unlikely to find a better candidate than Ondracka.
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Both parties have agreed that ANO 2011 will have the post of finance minister. Originally, Babis wanted to assume the post himself, but now the party is looking for a non-partisan expert and Babis wants to get the post of deputy prime minister for economy. In this position, Babis would coordinate the work of "economy ministries", including the Finance Ministry.
"For me the priority is (the post of) deputy prime minister for economy, because it is similar to how I run Agrofert. I run it through people in charge of various sectors," said Babis in reference to his food and agriculture holding.
