Babis‘ ANO Party Secures Victory in Czech Parliamentary Election
Prague – billionaire Andrej Babis’ populist ANO party has won teh parliamentary election in the Czech Republic,though it did not achieve an outright majority,according to preliminary results. ANO garnered just under 35% of the vote, translating to 81 seats in the 200-seat lower house.
Babis, who previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021, is anticipated to lead negotiations to form a new governing coalition. The outcome largely confirmed pre-election polling data, which consistently predicted ANO would finish first but fall short of a majority.
To form a government, Babis will likely need to forge an alliance with other parties. Initial talks are expected with the right-wing, eurosceptic motorists for Themselves and the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, led by Tomio Okamura, both of which surpassed the 5% threshold required for parliamentary depiction.
ANO shares common ground with the Motorists, particularly regarding opposition to the European Union’s Green Deal emissions targets and concerns about the financial impact of cleaner energy policies on Czech households.Both parties also oppose the EU’s planned ban on new petrol and diesel car sales after 2035. The two parties already collaborate within the “pro-sovereignty” Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament, founded by Babis alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and austrian Herbert Kickl.
A potential coalition with the SPD presents more challenges. the SPD entered the election in alliance with several far-right fringe parties, potentially complicating internal party dynamics. Furthermore, Babis has explicitly rejected holding referendums on Czech membership in the EU or NATO – a key demand of the SPD.
During the campaign, Babis criticized the outgoing government’s support for Ukraine, stating, “Czech mothers nothing, and Ukrainians everything.” however, the SPD’s more extreme proposals, such as mass deportation of Ukrainian refugees, are unlikely to gain traction with Babis.
Babis may ultimately opt to lead a minority government sustained by support from the Motorists and SPD.
