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.

According to him, the process will be launched in the coming months. "It is a process that will take between a year and a half and two years. The main work will not take place in 2026, but that does not mean that specific preparatory steps will not be initiated," he added.

According to Havlíček, the government will provide information on the specific steps later. He does not want to disclose details because such information could affect the share price on the stock exchange and lead to speculation.

Asked what costs the nationalisation would entail and whether they would be around the previously mentioned CZK 250 billion, the minister said that the total price would depend on the share price at the time. "We have prepared a model that will not place any significant burden on either the state budget or ČEZ," he said.

Havlíček also said that the government plans to replace members of the ČEZ supervisory board. He did not specify who should leave or whom the government would want on the board.