Czech President Petr Pavel confirmed on 4 December 2025 that populist ANO leader Andrej Babiš will be appointed prime minister on 9 December, after transferring his Agrofert conglomerate to an independent trust to address conflict-of-interest concerns. The new coalition—including the far-right SPD and anti-establishment Motorists party—has vowed to “contest” the EU Pact on Migration & Asylum that was provisionally agreed in April.
While details remain sketchy, coalition negotiators told local media the government will explore opt-outs from mandatory solidarity contributions and push to extend internal border checks with Slovakia “until irregular flows are under control.” Any Czech attempt to dilute the pact could complicate Brussels’ timeline to operationalise the new burden-sharing mechanism from mid-2026.
![Incoming Babiš Government Signals Tougher Line on EU Migration Pact]()
For employers, the political shift introduces uncertainty around labour-market access programmes that rely on EU mobility rules—particularly the Intra-Corporate Transfer Permit and the planned revamp of the EU Blue Card. Legal advisers warn that processing times for non-EU work permits could lengthen if the Interior Ministry refocuses resources on enforcement rather than adjudication.
The coalition agreement also pledges to raise pensions and cut energy levies, but it is the immigration plank that matters most to mobility managers. Companies with large Ukrainian or Balkan workforces should prepare contingency staffing plans and monitor legislative drafts closely in Q1 2026.
Despite its Eurosceptic tone, the incoming cabinet has ruled out referendums on leaving the EU or NATO, signalling that any confrontation with Brussels will remain within the bloc’s legal framework. Still, the next six months could reshape the compliance landscape for cross-border assignments into Czechia.
While details remain sketchy, coalition negotiators told local media the government will explore opt-outs from mandatory solidarity contributions and push to extend internal border checks with Slovakia “until irregular flows are under control.” Any Czech attempt to dilute the pact could complicate Brussels’ timeline to operationalise the new burden-sharing mechanism from mid-2026.
For employers, the political shift introduces uncertainty around labour-market access programmes that rely on EU mobility rules—particularly the Intra-Corporate Transfer Permit and the planned revamp of the EU Blue Card. Legal advisers warn that processing times for non-EU work permits could lengthen if the Interior Ministry refocuses resources on enforcement rather than adjudication.
The coalition agreement also pledges to raise pensions and cut energy levies, but it is the immigration plank that matters most to mobility managers. Companies with large Ukrainian or Balkan workforces should prepare contingency staffing plans and monitor legislative drafts closely in Q1 2026.
Despite its Eurosceptic tone, the incoming cabinet has ruled out referendums on leaving the EU or NATO, signalling that any confrontation with Brussels will remain within the bloc’s legal framework. Still, the next six months could reshape the compliance landscape for cross-border assignments into Czechia.
