Populist billionaire Andrej Babiš has secured victory in the Czech parliamentary election, marking a political shift that could see the country align more closely with nationalist governments in Hungary and Slovakia. The result signals growing Euroscepticism and a potential weakening of regional support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war.
A decisive win for the ANO movement
Babiš’s ANO (Action of Dissatisfied Citizens) party won a clear majority of seats, defeating the centrist and liberal coalition that had governed since 2021. Campaigning on a platform of economic protectionism, anti-immigration rhetoric, and criticism of European Union sanctions on Russia, Babiš capitalised on public fatigue with inflation and energy instability. His populist message resonated with voters seeking stability and stronger national control over domestic affairs.
A regional realignment in Central Europe
With Babiš’s return to power, the Czech Republic appears poised to join Hungary and Slovakia in forming a bloc more resistant to EU policy directives and less supportive of Ukraine. Like Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico, Babiš has criticised the cost of prolonged military aid to Kyiv and called for peace negotiations instead of further escalation. Analysts suggest this shift could complicate EU unity on sanctions, defence cooperation, and migration policy.
Brussels faces a new challenge
European officials reacted cautiously to the outcome, aware that Babiš’s prior tenure as prime minister (2017–2021) was marked by frequent disputes with Brussels over corruption allegations and rule-of-law issues. His renewed leadership raises questions about the Czech Republic’s commitment to EU cohesion at a time when the bloc faces both external and internal pressures. Diplomatic observers warn that Prague’s new stance may embolden nationalist movements elsewhere in the region.
Domestic priorities and economic concerns
Babiš has pledged to prioritise inflation control, energy security, and pension reform, while criticising what he calls “Brussels overreach.” Despite his populist appeal, his first challenge will be to stabilise an economy still recovering from energy shocks and weakened exports. His promises to shield households from rising costs have drawn comparisons to his earlier pandemic-era policies, which were both popular and heavily criticised for their fiscal burden.
Implications for the region and Ukraine
The Czech Republic’s shift could have far-reaching consequences for EU cohesion and NATO strategy. A Prague less inclined to support Ukraine militarily may strain coordination within the alliance’s eastern flank. Political analysts note that Babiš’s victory completes a nationalist triangle in Central Europe, where leaders in Budapest, Bratislava, and now Prague are increasingly aligned against the EU’s mainstream direction.
Newshub Editorial in Europe – 5 October 2025
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