The parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic have concluded with the predicted return to the political scene of former Prime Minister and billionaire Andrej Babiš. Known for his controversial reputation, Babiš built his campaign partially on criticizing support for Ukraine and questioning whether such assistance should continue.
However, Babiš’s party failed to secure an outright majority, forcing him to search for coalition partners, primarily among the far-right 'Freedom and Direct Democracy' party and populist movements. Tomio Okamura, leader of the far-right party, openly opposes aid to Ukraine and the country’s Euro-Atlantic course, raising concerns across Europe.
Democratic forces failed to gather enough votes to form a government. Therefore, the government’s future composition will depend on Babiš’s ability to forge political alliances. He must also keep in mind the stance of President Petr Pavel, who remains committed to the European course and has warned against forming a government with Eurosceptic parties.
Given these political realities, Babiš finds himself in a challenging position similar to Slovak PM Robert Fico, who entered a coalition with the far-right. While Babiš shares similarities with neighboring leaders like Viktor Orbán and Fico, his approach to Russia is more cautious; after the sabotage of Czech ammunition depots by Russian intelligence, Babiš adopted a firm anti-Russian stance.
The future Czech government is expected to adapt its program to geopolitical challenges, seeking a balance between pragmatism and coalition demands. However, Babiš's return could bring notable shifts in both foreign and domestic policy, a pattern common among politicians taking political revenge.
