Czech minority coalition government faces no-confidence vote

The Czech coalition government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis is facing a parliamentary no-confidence vote over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic

PRAGUE -- The Czech coalition government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis was facing a parliamentary no-confidence vote Thursday over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Five opposition parties also requested the vote as prosecutors are looking into whether to indict Babis over alleged fraud involving European Union funds. A recently published EU report concluded that Babis has a conflict of interest over EU subsidies involving his former business empire in a separate case. Babis denies any wrongdoing. The opposition lawmakers have also criticized the government for failing to secure enough support for the country in its diplomatic dispute with Russia over the alleged involvement of Russian spies in a massive ammunition depot explosion in 2014.