Czech Gov't Faces No-Confidence Vote

PRAGUE (AP) -- The Czech coalition government is facing a confidence vote in parliament over a fraud scandal implicating Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

His government is likely to survive Friday's vote because the opposition doesn't have enough votes to oust the Cabinet after a junior party decided not to vote against it.

Babis faces charges of misusing EU subsidies for a farm he transferred to relatives, including son, Andrej Babis, Jr.

The Czech leader has been under increased pressure after his son recently told reporters he was deliberately kept in Crimea to avoid being questioned in the case.

Babis denies all wrongdoing and says his son is mentally ill and was there voluntarily.

Thousands rallied last week in Prague and elsewhere, demanding Babis' resignation. Another rally against Babis is scheduled for Friday.

(KA)