Babiš calls for renewed domestic gas and oil production amid EU emissions permit criticism
Andrej Babiš condemned the EU emissions trading system and urged the Czech Republic to restart domestic gas and oil extraction to secure fuel supplies.
At the International Engineering Fair, Andrej Babiš highlighted the exhibition’s role for Czech industry and then launched a critique of the European Union’s emissions trading system, arguing that promised price caps have not materialised and that the scheme harms Czech manufacturers. He called for postponing the second phase of the ETS and stressed his government’s efforts to keep fuel prices low and ensure supply. Babiš asserted that the Czech Republic must resume extraction of gas and oil to become self-sufficient, echoing comments from the Romanian president.
He briefly excused himself to participate in a teleconference with EU leaders. The fair, featuring 1,379 exhibitors from 39 countries across eight pavilions, runs until Friday.
Why it matters
The remarks signal possible changes in Czech energy policy and growing friction with EU climate rules.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report Babiš criticizing the EU emissions trading system and calling for its postponement and domestic oil-gas extraction, but the right-leaning coverage uses stronger language such as “condemned” and “burden” and stresses the price jump and calls for abolishing permits.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents Babiš’s remarks as a critique of the EU emissions trading system, highlighting concerns about unmet price caps, harm to manufacturers, and a call to postpone the scheme while keeping fuel prices low.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames Babiš’s remarks as an attack on the EU emissions trading system, portraying it as a costly burden, noting sharp price increases, and urging the abolition of permits and postponement of the rollout.
The right emphasises
- condemned the EU emissions trading system as a burden
- price levels jumped to around €80, pushing up fuel, housing and refinery costs
- urged abolition of emissions permits and postponement of the rollout
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