Czech opposition leader and former prime minister Andrej Babiš on Thursday called on Prime Minister Petr Fiala to resign. The demand comes in the wake of a deepening scandal involving a controversial bitcoin donation to the Ministry of Justice from Tomáš Jiřikovský, a man convicted of drug offenses. Babiš warned that if the government fails to accept responsibility, his ANO party will push for a vote of no confidence.
Speaking during an emergency session of the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday, Babiš argued that the affair has tarnished the Czech Republic’s international reputation and eroded public trust in state institutions. He insisted the controversy extends well beyond Justice Minister Pavel Blažek—who resigned last week—and implicates other high-ranking officials.
Earlier this week, Babiš told Denik.cz that it was not a matter of politics, but about “preventing this government from continuing its dishonest activities.”
“It’s not just that they’re helping drug dealers or allowing a marketplace where fake documents and weapons are traded to legitimize illegal income,” Babis said. “If they stay in power, they’ll continue making completely non-transparent purchases worth tens of billions in the Ministry of Defense.”
While Babiš alleges that a group of Blažek’s allies in government and legal professions are involved, PM Fiala said he is confident Blažek acted “in good faith.”
