Billionaire businessman Andrej Babis has achieved a notable win in the Czech Republic’s parliamentary elections. His populist ANO party secured just under 35% of the vote, resulting in 81 seats in the 200-seat lower house. Despite this victory, Babis’s party did not gain an outright majority.
Babis, who was prime minister from 2017 to 2021, will soon begin discussions to form a coalition. The current center-right coalition was expected to struggle, and predictions indicated that Babis would lead the results but would not have enough seats to govern alone.
So what happens next? Babis is likely to reach out to two smaller right-wing parties: Motorists for Themselves, which opposes strict EU emissions targets, and the anti-immigrant Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), led by entrepreneur Tomio Okamura. Collaborating with these parties may be crucial for Babis to construct a stable majority.
Both ANO and the Motorists are aligned on several issues. They share skepticism towards the EU’s environmental goals and aim to lessen the financial pressure on Czech households caused by energy regulations. They both oppose the EU’s decision to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
However, partnering with the SPD could be more challenging. The SPD ran alongside fringe far-right parties and may struggle to control its members, complicating coalition talks. Babis has also made it clear that he will not entertain any referendums regarding EU or NATO membership, a significant demand from the SPD.
During the campaign, Babis leaned into anti-Ukrainian sentiments, criticizing the current government’s support for Ukrainian refugees. Okamura’s push for the deportation of Ukrainian refugees may not resonate with the broader electorate.
Ultimately, Babis may opt for a minority government, potentially relying on the support of both the Motorists and the SPD.
This election reflects broader trends across Europe, where populism has gained traction. According to a recent Pew Research study, support for populist parties in Western Europe has increased significantly in the past decade, with many voters seeking alternatives to traditional political parties. As the Czech Republic navigates these changes, the outcomes of Babis’s coalition talks could set the stage for future governance and political dynamics in the region.
For more details on the impact of populism across Europe, check out this Pew Research report.
