The ano movement of former Czech Minister Andrej Babis has emerged as the clear leader in the recent legislative elections, garnering 35.4% of the votes according to almost final results. As Babis aims to form a majority government in the wake of this electoral victory, discussions with the far right are on the table. This significant return could impact Prague’s stance on both Ukraine and the European Union .
What to remember:
Andrej Babis’s ANO party dominated the Czech legislative elections, achieving 35.4% of the votes, surpassing the outgoing government coalition led by Petr Fiala (22.7%) and the Liberals of Stan (11.1%).
Babis, a former prime minister and businessman, is seeking a return to power through potential alliances with far-right parties, including SPD (7.9%) and engineering rights party (6.8%), while rejecting the notion of a “Czech exit” from the EU.
This resurgence may alter Prague’s support for Ukraine; although Babis has pledged to “defend the Czechs first,” analysts consider his foreign policy to be pragmatic, despite a campaign influenced by pro-Russian networks .
The ANO movement (“Action of Disgruntled Citizens,” or “yes” in Czech) led by Andrej Babis has made a significant comeback in Czech politics, achieving 35.4% of the votes in the recent elections. This marks a striking recovery for the self-proclaimed Trumpist billionaire, who had lost considerable power just four years prior.
With 68.89% voter turnout, the ANO party is firmly ahead of the “ensemble” movement , led by outgoing center-right faction Petr Fiala , which received 22.7% of votes. The Liberals of Stan , part of Fiala’s coalition, trailed in third with only 11.1% .
Alliance with the Extreme Right?
“We will seek to form a government with a single party led by ANO,” Babis stated, emphasizing that he would also engage in discussions with the far-right SPD , which received 7.9% of the votes, as well as another right-leaning party at 6.8% .
Given the results, it is clear that Babis will require partners to effectively govern this Central European nation, which is a member of both NATO and the EU .
“What awaits us is probably a government led by Andrej Babis, but the critical question is with whom he will ally,” remarked Otto Eibl , an analyst from Masaryk University . Babis, 71, previously held the reins of the Czech Republic from 2017 to 2021 , campaigning on promises to bolster social benefits and reduce support for Ukraine in favor of “Czechs first.”
This pivot could signal a shift for Prague towards alignment with nations like Hungary and Slovakia , both of whom have refused military aid to Ukraine and resisted sanctions against Russia.
Babis was instrumental in co-founding the Eurosceptic parliamentary group “Patriots for Europe” alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban . While the SPD is advocating for a referendum to exit the EU, Babis has categorically rejected this proposal.
The End of Massive Support for Ukraine?
The Czech President Petr Pavel , who is constitutionally responsible for appointing the next Prime Minister, has confirmed plans to commence discussions with elected party leaders over the weekend.
Petr Pavel, a former NATO chief and staunch pro-European advocate, met with Babis earlier this week to discuss potential conflicts of interest stemming from Babis’s business endeavors as the head of a chemical and food conglomerate , along with ongoing investigations regarding EU subsidy fraud.
Thus far, the Czech Republic—home to approximately 10.9 million inhabitants —has actively supported Kyiv amid Russia’s invasion. It has also provided refuge to over 500,000 Ukrainian immigrants, of whom about 300,000 are still residing in the country. However, many citizens have criticized Fiala’s government for allegedly neglecting its own populace.
Analyst Josef Mlejnek from Charles University has expressed skepticism regarding any major shifts in Czech foreign policy under Babis, noting his business interests in Western Europe: “Babis is a pragmatic businessman whose primary focus is his role as Prime Minister,” he commented.
Towards a “Change”?
<pConversely, Peter Just from Metropolitan University posits that if ANO assumes control, Babis may not maintain a pro-Western rhetoric for long, as many of its representatives appear to adopt a “falsely neutral position” on Ukraine. Boris Lucansky, a 60-year-old administrative worker, has expressed high hopes for meaningful “change,” with the priority being how Babis addresses rising energy prices.
The election has observed rising engagement from pro-Russian networks , with reports of increased activities on TikTok promoting anti-establishment parties. According to a report from the American Sunlight Project , the SPD has spent substantial amounts on advertisements without the legally required disclosures on Meta , outspending both Babis’s and Fiala’s parties by a significant margin. Meta has confirmed it is investigating these reports and has already taken action on several compliance violations.
Babis’s return opens a new chapter in Czech politics, one where foreign policy and domestic priorities may be recalibrated, prompting both opportunities and challenges in the evolving geopolitical landscape.