Andrej Babiš’s ANO party has secured a decisive victory in Czech parliamentary elections, topping the polls with about 36% of the vote.
Ano Leads Ahead of Competition
Partial results from over 90% of precincts show former prime minister Andrej Babiš’s party holding a clear lead, with an estimated 36% of the vote. Current figures put ANO at 35.9%. The outcome suggests a return of Babiš to power. The second-place party, the centropopright coalition Spolu led by current prime minister Petr Fiala, is at about 22.3%.
A Shift in Czech Politics?
The elections could end the parliamentary presence of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia, which is forecasted to fall below the five‑percent threshold. Turnout is expected to be nearly 69% over the two‑day voting period.
Babiš and His European Alliances
He has openly declared a desire to form a single‑party government. Babiš’s populist, anti‑immigration stance aligns with similar movements across Europe, and he maintains close ties with Hungary’s Viktor Orban. He also promised to curtail aid to Ukraine. ANO co‑creates the “Patriots for Europe” group in the European Parliament, opposing EU climate policy among other issues. Preliminary results indicated that ANO would not gain an outright majority. Babiš has ruled out cooperation with current coalition parties and the liberal Pirates. Potential partners could include smaller factions such as the Drivers Party, which opposes a ban on combustion‑engine cars, or the far‑right SPD.
