Babiš urges Czech PM Fiala to reject new climate targets at EU summit

ANO chairman Andrej Babiš has urged Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) to reject climate targets for 2040 at next week’s summit of European Union leaders. Babiš, who is negotiating with SPD and Motorists for the formation of the next government, considers the European Council meeting in Brussels the most important one for the future of the Czech Republic. The new targets could cause lasting damage to the future of citizens, companies and self-employed people in Czechia, he said at a press conference. Fiala called the appeal ridiculous on X, saying the government has long opposed the targets and that they have not yet been approved partly thanks to its stance.

According to Babiš, the Danish EU presidency is pushing for the climate targets. “The question is why now, 15 years in advance,” he said. Emissions must be reduced, he said, but the approach should depend on the nature of individual economies. “I would like to urge Prime Minister Fiala to reject them, to act like a man and someone who cares about the future of our country,” Babiš said.

The ANO chairman criticized Fiala for not having fought for the interests of Czech citizens in the EU in the past and for always giving in to the European Commission. “The Czech presidency was a complete disaster, when we accepted all the nonsense of green madness,” he said. He noted that after the recent parliamentary elections, Fiala was heading to Brussels as a prime minister without a mandate from voters.

Fiala said Babiš’s appeals were ridiculous. “Our government has long opposed the 2040 climate targets, and that is one of the reasons they have not yet been approved. It is a pity that Andrej Babiš did not similarly call for himself to be blocked when the Green Deal was being approved, or for his then environment minister, [Richard] Brabec, to be blocked when carbon neutrality by 2050 was being approved,” the prime minister said.

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (for ODS) also hit back at Babiš. “Babiš has no business instructing the government via television from Průhonice. We have long opposed the climate commitments for 2040. It has not passed so far partly thanks to us,” he said. Lipavský said Babiš knew this and was only trying to divert attention from his own problems. “He should focus on forming a government instead,” he added.

A month ago, Fiala said Czechia would not support any further target that could threaten competitiveness or affordable and reliable energy supplies. On Wednesday, he said he had spoken with European Council President António Costa ahead of the meeting in Brussels. “Together with the other leaders, we will look for ways to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, including by revising the Green Deal so that ambitious climate targets do not harm our citizens and businesses. This is in the interest of Czech citizens and the entire EU,” he said.

Members of the European Council are expected to discuss a framework to support the EU’s climate targets. Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS) said at a Senate meeting on Thursday that Czechia and other member states had thwarted an attempt by the Danish presidency last month to adopt a new 2040 climate target at a meeting of environment ministers. “The Czech government rejects the proposed 90 percent EU emissions reduction target for 2040. We consider it unrealistic and criticize the Commission for failing to properly assess the impacts on individual member states and economic sectors,” Kupka said.