Renew’s Babiš sparks criticism with conservative conference attendance

Former Czech Prime Minister and current opposition leader Andrej Babiš is set to attend a conservative conference in Budapest as a “conservative leader” despite belonging to the family of European liberals. R

The conference is the Hungarian edition of the leading event of American conservatives, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and will take place on 4-5 May. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovenian ex-Prime Minister Janez Janša are among the key speakers.

Babiš’s decision has raised eyebrows and sparked criticism from his liberal allies, who question his commitment to the principles of the Renew Europe group and the pan-European liberal party ALDE.

“To be clear: No member of our political family should share a podium with this crowd. It is incompatible with ALDE Party, Renew Europe membership,” Dutch MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld tweeted in reaction to the conservative conference programme.

The CPAC is intended to connect hardcore American conservatives with their European sympathisers with the motto “United we stand”. The event’s programme portrays Babiš as a “successful businessman and conservative leader”.

Babiš, who failed in the recent presidential elections, still controls the strongest opposition party in the Czech Republic and is well known for his good ties with Orbán. On the other hand, his ANO party is a member of the Renew Europe group and the pan-European ALDE party.

Babiš’s positions, like those of ANO MPs in the Czech lower house, are often critical of deepening European integration and often target EU policies, especially the European Green Deal.

It is also expected that ANO will use strong anti-European rhetoric in its campaign ahead of the 2024 European elections as it aims to attract voters of anti-establishment parties, such as the ID-affiliated Czech Freedom and Direct Democracy Party.

(Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz)