Billionaire Babis' ANO Party Wins Czech Election

Billionaire Andrej Babis has led his ANO party to victory in the Czech parliamentary elections, securing just under 35% of the vote. This gain awards the party 80 seats in the 200-seat lower house, an increase from 72, but still short of a majority. Babis, who was prime minister from 2017 to 2021, is poised to initiate coalition talks.

The election result comes as no surprise, with Babis' populist appeal strongly resonating in the country. Despite his triumph, Babis requires an alliance for a majority, turning to the eurosceptic parties Motorists for Themselves and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD). ANO and the Motorists share a sceptical stance towards EU emission policies, seeking to halt the EU ban on petrol and diesel cars after 2035.

However, forming a coalition might prove challenging, particularly with SPD, which maintains extreme positions and internal fragmentations. Babis has ruled out accommodating SPD’s demands for referendums on EU or NATO membership. Although his election rhetoric included anti-Ukrainian sentiments, he is unlikely to support deporting Ukrainian refugees, a major SPD goal.

Czech military support for Ukraine could diminish with Babis as prime minister, as he plans to end the Czech ammunition initiative aiding Ukraine. He argues the programme lacks transparency, though some officials believe its secrecy ensures its success. Babis proposes shifting ammunition support under NATO’s oversight while dismissing concerns about strained EU and NATO relationships under his leadership.

Babis remains confident about maintaining strong ties with Western allies, despite criticising extremist parties. He reflected on his previous tenure’s reliability, leveraging relationships built with the U.S. during President Trump’s administration. As ANO gears up for negotiations, the direction of Czech politics under Babis' leadership will closely be monitored, both domestically and internationally.

Key Takeaways:

• Andrej Babis' ANO party wins but falls short of a majority.
• Coalition talks focus on alliances with smaller right-wing parties.
• Military support for Ukraine might be reduced under new leadership.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-10-06