The new Czech government has been sworn in.

On December 13, Czech Republic President Miloš Zeman officially appointed a minority government consisting of 14 ministers.

The cabinet members belong to the ANO movement and technocrats, with billionaire Andrej Babis as Prime Minister.

Czech Prime Minister Babis. Photo: ABC.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Zeman urged the new government to immediately begin carrying out its functions and duties. The President also declared that he would continue to appoint Babis as Prime Minister, even if the new government does not pass the upcoming vote of confidence in the Lower House.

For his part, the new Prime Minister Andrej Babis said the government would announce its action plan on December 17th before beginning negotiations with the remaining parties in the Lower House to secure the necessary votes to pass the confidence vote.

Mr. Babis wants the vote of confidence in the new government to take place on January 10, 2018. According to the election platform of the ANO Movement, which Mr. Babis leads, the Czech government will improve pensions and digitize administrative procedures.

The new Czech government will not have a Minister for Human Rights or a Minister for the Legislative Council. These responsibilities will fall under the Ministry of Justice. Prime Minister Babis will directly lead the Council for Research, Development and Innovation, eliminating the position of Deputy Prime Minister in charge of this matter. The new government will have four female ministers, holding the positions of Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Minister of Regional Development, and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs.

In the general election held last October, Babis's ANO movement achieved a resounding victory, securing 78 out of 200 seats in the Lower House. However, Babis was unable to persuade the parties holding seats in the Lower House to join a governing coalition, forcing him to form a minority government.

According to VOV