In a written answer on 23 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič (the Commission's answer is attributed to Executive Vice-President Fitto) outlined the European Commission's ongoing monitoring of potential conflicts of interest involving Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and his ties to SynBiol and the AGROFERT Group. The Commission has requested EU programme managing authorities to exclude from payment applications any expenditure linked to operations involving AGROFERT Group companies or entities under the Prime Minister's control, including SynBiol and Hartenberg Holding, selected as beneficiaries after 9 December 2025. If a conflict of interest is confirmed, the Commission may interrupt payment deadlines, suspend payments, and apply financial corrections, as was done previously for a similar conflict. The answer also notes that such a conflict could signal a broader rule-of-law issue, potentially triggering the General Conditionality Regulation.
The response comes after a written question by MEP Tomáš Zdechovský. The Commission has sent two letters to Czech authorities: one on 19 February 2026 and a follow-up on 20 May 2025, requesting information on measures taken to address the conflict. The Commission is awaiting a legal assessment before taking further steps.
The answer signals a firm stance on protecting EU financial interests, impacting Czech authorities and beneficiaries linked to the Prime Minister. The Commission's proactive measures—pre-emptively blocking payments—show a high level of vigilance. Institutional follow-up may include formal interruption or suspension of payments, and potentially activating the conditionality mechanism if systemic issues are found.