In a 14 November interview with Reuters, Czech populist leader Andrej Babiš said he will outline measures to resolve his conflict-of-interest case “immediately before” President Petr Pavel appoints him prime minister. While most headlines focused on Agrofert, mobility analysts zeroed in on Babiš’s pledge to fight “Brussels diktats” on migration.
Babiš confirmed that an ANO-led coalition with the far-right SPD will seek to roll back the current government’s partial support for the EU migration pact and could—with parliamentary approval—tighten labour-market testing for non-EU hires. SPD leaders are demanding a cap on new work permits for third-country nationals and higher language-proficiency thresholds, proposals that business groups warn would exacerbate Czechia’s chronic skills shortages.
![Incoming PM Babiš reiterates opposition to EU climate and migration policies]()
Analysts say the coalition agreement, due by 30 November, will give early clues: if ANO compromises on migration to secure SPD votes on economic reforms, employers may face new administrative hurdles in 2026. However, Babiš also needs to maintain EU funding streams and could temper hard-line rhetoric once in office.
Global-mobility teams should track the draft programme and be prepared to brief senior leadership on scenarios ranging from modest procedural tweaks to a stricter quota regime. Companies with large manufacturing footprints in Moravia—especially in automotive and electronics—have already signalled they will lobby against measures that restrict access to Vietnamese and Filipino workers.
Babiš confirmed that an ANO-led coalition with the far-right SPD will seek to roll back the current government’s partial support for the EU migration pact and could—with parliamentary approval—tighten labour-market testing for non-EU hires. SPD leaders are demanding a cap on new work permits for third-country nationals and higher language-proficiency thresholds, proposals that business groups warn would exacerbate Czechia’s chronic skills shortages.
Analysts say the coalition agreement, due by 30 November, will give early clues: if ANO compromises on migration to secure SPD votes on economic reforms, employers may face new administrative hurdles in 2026. However, Babiš also needs to maintain EU funding streams and could temper hard-line rhetoric once in office.
Global-mobility teams should track the draft programme and be prepared to brief senior leadership on scenarios ranging from modest procedural tweaks to a stricter quota regime. Companies with large manufacturing footprints in Moravia—especially in automotive and electronics—have already signalled they will lobby against measures that restrict access to Vietnamese and Filipino workers.
