The Czech Republic has witnessed a dramatic political shift after the right-wing populist ANO party, led by billionaire Andrej Babiš, secured a decisive victory in the latest parliamentary elections. With 35.4% of the vote, ANO left its rivals trailing, dealing a major setback to Brussels and the European Union’s agenda.
The ruling centre-right coalition Spolu managed only 22.7%, while two other groups the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and a newly emerged party called Motorists For Themselves also cleared the 5% threshold, gaining seats in parliament. This outcome marks a political comeback for Babiš, often referred to as the “Czech Trump.” The 71-year-old entrepreneur previously served as prime minister between 2017 and 2021, before his party was pushed out of power.
Throughout his campaign, Babiš capitalized on widespread voter frustration over high living costs, inflation, and soaring energy prices. He promised lower taxes and cheaper energy bills, pledges that clearly resonated with many Czech citizens. His message was simple: protect households from the financial strain of EU climate policies while strengthening national sovereignty.
Babiš has been one of the EU’s fiercest critics, opposing Brussels on multiple fronts. He has slammed the EU’s Green Deal, calling it economically destructive for ordinary families. He has also rejected the EU’s migration policies and vowed to stop arms shipments to Ukraine positions that align him closely with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
ANO is part of the Patriots for Europe (PfE) bloc in the European Parliament, which unites several Eurosceptic and far-right movements, including Orbán’s Fidesz, Matteo Salvini’s Lega in Italy, and Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National in France. This network further strengthens Babiš’s standing as a key figure in Europe’s growing populist wave.
Following his victory, Babiš announced that he would seek to form a coalition government with SPD and Motorists For Themselves, aiming for what he called a “one-colour government” led entirely by ANO and its allies. Both parties share ANO’s opposition to the EU’s emissions targets and strongly reject the planned ban on new petrol and diesel cars after 2035. They argue that Czech families should not be forced to bear the cost of expensive climate measures dictated by Brussels.
This election result not only signals a major comeback for Babiš but also highlights a broader shift in European politics where populist, nationalist, and Eurosceptic parties are increasingly shaping the debate.
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