Andrej Babis's ANO Party Wins Czech Parliamentary Elections, Steering the Country Away from Support for Ukraine
The Czech Republic's ex-Prime Minister, Andrej Babis, and his populist ANO (Yes) party have emerged victorious in the parliamentary elections held last Friday and Saturday. With 97% of the votes counted, Babis's party secured about 35% of the vote, according to multiple sources including Deutsche Welle, RT (Russia Today), and The Guardian. Despite this victory, ANO falls short of an absolute majority, potentially leading to Babis relying on the support of far-right extremists of the SPD, as reported by Corriere della Sera.
An Expected Victory
Branded 'Czech Trump' by the media, Babis's victory was forecasted by several polls released earlier last week. His campaign focused on promises to stop military assistance to Ukraine, a stance that starkly contrasts with the outgoing government's support for the country. This significant shift in foreign policy has raised concerns about the future of Prague's ties with the European Union and Ukraine, as reported by Deutsche Welle and South China Morning Post.
A Controversial Figure
Babis, a billionaire agriculture tycoon, served as Prime Minister between 2017 and 2021. Despite facing accusations of conflict of interest and fraud during his previous term, he managed to secure a substantial lead in the elections. This victory comes at a time when the cabinet of Prime Minister Petr Fiala entered the election with the lowest ratings for any Czech government in more than a decade, according to RT.
Reactions and Implications
Babis's victory is seen as a boon for populist anti-immigration camps in Europe and a complication for consensus on climate policies. His return to power could draw the Czech Republic closer to EU mavericks Hungary and Slovakia, which have refused military aid to Ukraine and opposed sanctions on Russia, as reported by South China Morning Post. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was the first foreign leader to acknowledge and congratulate Babis's victory, considering it as good news
for Europe.
The Road Ahead
Despite his party's victory, Babis's ANO party falls short of achieving an overall majority, indicating a potentially unstable political landscape ahead for the Czech Republic. This outcome could lead to Babis seeking support from other political factions, such as the far-right extremists of the SPD, to form a government. With his return to power, Babis has reiterated his intention to cut aid to Ukraine and voiced skepticism about Ukraine's readiness to join the EU, as reported by RT.
In conclusion, the Czech Republic's parliamentary elections have resulted in a major political shift, with the populist ANO party taking the lead under Andrej Babis. The implications of this shift, particularly with regards to Czech foreign policy towards Ukraine and its relationship with the EU, will be closely watched in the coming months.