Final Word from Thursday, November 27, 2025

Agrofert is synonymous with Andrej Babiš in the Czech Republic, but over the border in Germany people aren't always so quick to put a face to the name. Handelsblatt, for example, didn't mention the connection to the once and perhaps future Czech PM in Sept. when reporting on the gas-related troubles of Agrofert's SKW Piesteritz chemicals company. But Babiš did indeed get the German media's attention this week when he managed the double achievement of agreeing on the ministers in his new cabinet and arranging to buy OCI Ammonia Holding for €290m. "Despite all the internal political turmoil," FAZ said, "the CEO still had enough time to sign off on this big deal." At one of the most sensitive times in his political career, Babiš made an ostentatious acquisition that highlighted his potential conflict of interest and Agrofert's position in Western European markets. In its print edition, FAZ emphasized that Pres. Petr Pavel doesn't want to make Babiš the PM because Babiš the billionaire doesn't want to give up control over his empire. He's standing in his own way, FAZ said. It's getting increasingly difficult to believe he isn't doing this on purpose. [ Czech Republic energy intensive industry Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung ]