Czech Finance Minister posted staggering salary in the tens of millions of crowns before becoming finance minister
Prague, July 24 (ČTK) — The Czech Finance Minister, billionaire Andrej Babiš (ANO), bought bonds of his Agrofert food empire for 1.25 million Kč last year, according to his property statement sent to the Chamber of Deputies and published online, daily Právo writes today.
Babiš’s net salary in Agrofert in November and December 2013 was 37 million Kč, Právo writes.
He left the post of head of Agrofert in late January to comply with the conflict of interest law, it adds. However, he is still owner of the company, as this is not banned by the law, Právo writes.
The market value of Agrofert is put at about 100 billion Kč. The holding owns more than 200 companies, mainly from agriculture, food and chemical industries, it adds.
Two years ago, the firm entered the forestry and timber industry and it also operates in the media where it owns the Mafra publishers, Právo writes.
In his property statement, Babiš said he also owns the Kostelecké uzeniny smoked meat maker and the Symbiol chemical and trade company. He is also on the board of directors of IMOBA, a real estate and catering firm, it adds.
As a member of their statutory bodies, he was not paid any money, Právo writes.
Babis received 4,267 euros as remuneration for working in the statutory authority of the SKW Stickstoffwerke Priesteritz chemical company, it adds.
“As an individual, I will pay 87 million Kč, and my companies 650 million Kč [in taxes] for the whole last year,” Babiš has said. “This repeats almost every year,” he added.
Immediately upon taking office, Babiš gave up the salary of deputy prime minister and the business car, Právo writes.
“I said that this would not cost the state a single crown,” he told the paper.
