Czech voters face a potentially watershed election as Babiš’s ANO party is poised to win about 30% of the vote, while Babiš vows to keep the Czech Republic in NATO and the EU.
Czech Elections: Will Babiš’s Party Win?
Since Tuesday, the publication of pre‑election polls is banned. Early surveys suggest ANO could secure roughly thirty percent of the vote. The runner‑up would be the centrist‑right coalition that currently holds the cabinet, while the third place would be the anti‑European extreme right.
The extreme right and a communist bloc hovering near the electoral threshold could collaborate with Babiš to form a new government should he opt against a minority cabinet.
Babiš Opposes Exiting NATO and the EU
Contrary to his hard‑right and communist allies, Babiš rejects any move to withdraw from NATO or the European Union. He has pledged that no referendum on Czech membership in either bloc will be held under his leadership.
Despite this pro‑European stance, ANO joined pro‑French Le Pen, Orbán, Salvini, and Wilders in the European Parliament after the last elections.
What About Ukraine?
Filip Harzer of Seznam Zprávy explains that Babiš will use nationalist, populist, and eurosceptic rhetoric at home, but will act differently in Brussels. He does not foresee significant impacts on Polish‑Czech relations or a revival of disputes over the Turów coal mine.
Babiš has not shown a pro‑Russian bias; he is unlikely to travel to Moscow and he is not characterized as a pro‑Russian politician by commentator Jakub Medek.
ANO Leader’s Position on Ukraine Post-Invasion
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Babiš initially opposed Kiev but later shifted his stance to support the country’s defense. He announced a withdrawal of the Czech ammunition initiative that would have supplied over a million artillery shells to Ukraine.
Views from Media Voices
Jakub Medek, a TOK FM journalist and author of “Czechostacja” and “Dobry den,” confirms that Babiš is not a pro‑Russian politician, warning against Polish myths about Czech political alignments.
