The Czech coalition government, led by conservative Prime Minister Petr Fiala, has survived a parliamentary no-confidence vote due to opposition claims of mishandling the economy and immigration by 115 votes to 85.
The ANO party, led by billionaire populist Andrej Babis, accused the government of failing to deal with high inflation driven by energy prices and a new wave of immigration. The government has rejected the allegations. Inflation has actually been declining this year – from 17.5% in January to 6.9% in September. Babis also accused the government of caring more about Ukraine than the Czech Republic, which has accepted more than 350,000 refugees this year. The government has temporarily reintroduced checks along the border with Slovakia to stem a flow of migrants. Babis has also criticised a government package designed to keep the ballooning budget deficit under control, which would increase the prices of beer and healthcare – but which still needs Senate and President Petr Pavel’s approval.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE NEWS
Czech Government Survives No-Confidence Vote
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