Czech coalition stalls move to soften conflict-of-interest rules

Justice Minister Jeroným Tejc confirmed the cabinet’s neutral stance following a recent meeting, flagging roughly ten specific areas where the current draft requires amendment. The ministry issued a formal position paper detailing why the original text, sponsored by MPs Radek Vondráček, David Pražák, Marie Pošarová, and Filip Turek, is currently untenable in its proposed form.

At the heart of the retreat lies the country's access to the European recovery fund, a financial lifeline worth over 200 billion crowns, or €8.25 billion. Disbursement of these grants and loans is strictly tied to the successful implementation of rigorous audit and control reforms. The government acknowledged that it is currently in active communication with the European Commission, which is evaluating whether the parliamentary proposal undermines these commitments. With the stakes set at billions in EU funding, the coalition has opted for a tactical pause rather than risking a direct collision with oversight authorities.