Frustrated with the state of corruption in Czech politics, Andrej Babiš, one of the country’s richest entrepreneurs, last year founded the political movement ANO 2011, which plans to register as a party and put forward candidates in upcoming elections. In an exclusive interview with Czech Position, he speaks about cronyism in Prague City Hall under former mayor Pavel Bém (ODS) and the influence of lobbyists like Roman Janoušek and “mafias” on the political landscape.

President Václav Klaus’ reaction to the publication of wiretap recordings between former Prague mayor Pavel Bém and “godfather” lobbyist Roman Janoušek prompted a number of Czech commentators to suggest Klaus is apprehensive about the exposure of corrupt practices that could lead to his own door. On Wednesday the Slovak daily SME went further, claiming Klaus carries most responsibility for corruption in the Czech Republic.

According to Czech Position’s information, the daily Mladá fronta dnes is in possession of a total of 40 minutes of recordings of conversations between ex-Prague mayor Pavel Bém and lobbyist Roman Janoušek and politicians from the Civic Democrats (ODS). But while what has been published is only a fraction of the content — and the public cannot expect to hear more — that is not the fundamental concern.

Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda’s indirect call pn his predecessor Pavel Bém to resign from the Civic Democrats (ODS) over cronyism and corruption during his tenure in City Hall has reportedly been backed by the club of politicians from the party’s Prague chapter. Bém says he will fight tooth and nail to preserve his political career.