EU Commission warns Czech Republic over conflict‑of‑interest rules and public‑media fees

The European Commission’s annual rule‑of‑law report says the Czech Republic has made no progress in revising its conflict‑of‑interest legislation, particularly regarding real ownership. The report notes that a draft amendment presented by Czech MPs in June would replace the term “controlling person” with “beneficial owner,” potentially narrowing the blanket ban on subsidies and public contracts for companies linked to government members.

The Commission also highlights a separate proposal to abolish fees for public‑service broadcasters, which has raised concerns about political pressure on the media. Ongoing public debate and continued communication between the Czech government and the Commission are noted, but the report concludes that “no progress was recorded” on the recommendations.

These findings underscore unresolved issues in the Czech conflict‑of‑interest framework and the financing of public‑media institutions, prompting further scrutiny from EU authorities.