Havlíček on Czech Television: Government to begin preparatory steps for ČEZ nationalisation

The government will this year begin preparatory steps to buy out the shares held by minority owners of energy company ČEZ and nationalise the firm. The entire process will take between a year and a half and two years. Industry Minister Karel Havlíček (ANO) said this today on Czech Television (ČT). Havlíček did not specify what steps the government is planning, as this information could affect the share price on the stock exchange.

The state holds around 70 percent of ČEZ shares through the Finance Ministry, while the remainder is owned by minority shareholders. By buying out the minority shareholders' stake, the state would become the 100 percent owner. The current government, formed by ANO, SPD and the Motorists, states in its policy declaration that it will take steps to gain 100 percent control over generation within the ČEZ Group.

"We will not delay it; we have a prepared scenario for how we will proceed," Havlíček said.