Information
Czech billionaire and former prime minister Andrej Babiš is poised to return to power after his ANO (Yes) party won last month’s parliamentary elections. Following the victory, President Petr Pavel asked Babiš to form a new government, and on Monday, Babiš signed a coalition agreement with two right-wing allies, the Motorists party, known for its climate change scepticism, and the anti-EU, anti-NATO SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy). The three-party coalition plans to establish a 16-member cabinet, with ANO controlling eight ministries and the premiership, while the Motorists and SPD take four and three posts respectively. Babiš aims to finalise the new government by mid-December.
The alliance gives Babiš a comfortable parliamentary majority with 108 seats in the 200-member lower house, effectively pushing outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s pro-Western coalition into opposition. Babiš’s return marks a sharp political shift, as his partners’ eurosceptic stances raise concerns about the Czech Republic’s future role in the EU and NATO. He has already declared plans to halt all aid to Ukraine, potentially undermining Prague’s previous support for Kyiv in its defence against Russia’s invasion. At 71, Babiš is set to serve as prime minister once again, having previously led the country from 2017 to 2021.
Source: Reuters, FT
So What
While Babiš’s return and his alliance with eurosceptic partners may signal a setback for European unity, it likely reflects a broader trend emerging across the continent. His party may ultimately moderate its stance once in power to maintain access to crucial EU funding, much like Italy’s recent political shifts. Nonetheless, this development serves as a warning to other EU member states, highlighting how growing public frustration with economic and social challenges is driving voters toward more extreme political alternatives.
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