Andrej Babis’ ANO Party Wins Czech Election, Coalition Negotiations Underway
Andrej Babis’ ANO Party Wins Czech Election, Coalition Negotiations Underway
Billionaire populist Andrej Babis’ ANO party has emerged victorious in the latest Czech parliamentary election, though falling short of an outright majority. The win positions Babis, who previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021, to lead crucial talks aimed at forming a new government coalition.
Preliminary results indicate ANO secured just under 35% of the vote, translating to 81 seats in the 200-seat lower house. While the outcome aligns with long-standing predictions regarding Babis’ strong performance, the path to stable governance remains complex without a clear majority.
Babis is expected to swiftly initiate discussions with two smaller, right-wing eurosceptic parties that crossed the 5% electoral threshold: the anti-Green Deal Motorists for Themselves and the anti-immigrant Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, led by Tomio Okamura. An alliance with both appears necessary for ANO to command a majority.
Strong alignment exists between ANO and the Motorists, particularly on issues concerning the EU’s emissions targets and opposition to increased financial burdens for cleaner energy. Both parties also reject the EU’s proposed ban on new petrol and diesel cars post-2035. Their shared ‘pro-sovereignty’ stance is evident in their joint membership of the European Parliament’s Patriots for Europe group, co-founded by Babis last year.
However, forming a coalition with the SPD could prove more challenging. The SPD’s recent electoral alliance with fringe far-right groups and potential internal caucus divisions present hurdles. Furthermore, Babis has firmly rejected key SPD demands for referendums on EU or NATO membership, despite his own recent anti-Ukrainian rhetoric during the campaign.
Ultimately, Babis may opt for a minority cabinet, relying on the Motorists and SPD to provide external support rather than full coalition partners, as the nation awaits the formation of its next government.
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