Czech President Petr Pavel has officially tasked Andrej Babis with forming a new government after ANO’s election win. The move signals a potential power shift toward eurosceptic forces and new foreign policy challenges for the Czech Republic.
A Power Shift in Prague
Czech President Petr Pavel has entrusted Andrej Babis, leader of the populist ANO party, with forming a new government. The move marks a critical step in Babis’s return to power after his victory in the October 3–4 parliamentary elections.
Babis now begins negotiations with right-wing and far-right allies, including the Motorists party and the SPD, who together hold a slim parliamentary majority of 108 seats in the 200-member lower house.
A Populist Alliance Forms
The three parties are close to finalising a joint government agenda that could reshape Czech policy. Early drafts suggest higher public spending, reduced support for Ukraine, and tougher stances on EU migration and climate policies.
Such a shift would move the country away from the pro-European, pro-NATO course set by outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
Pavel’s Conditions and Cautions
President Pavel, a former NATO general, said he will review the full agenda later this week. He has repeatedly urged the incoming coalition to uphold the Czech Republic’s EU and NATO commitments, and to continue ammunition shipments to Kyiv — a program Babis has criticised as “overpriced and non-transparent.”
Despite these tensions, Babis claims his government will keep the Czech Republic anchored within Western alliances. ANO officials have described EU and NATO membership as “explicit and unquestionable,” even as SPD leaders push for a referendum on withdrawal.
Next Steps: Cabinet Negotiations
Before taking office, Babis must finalise ministerial appointments and secure parliamentary approval. The next session begins November 3, when lawmakers will elect a new house speaker and prepare for the formal resignation of the Fiala cabinet — the earliest possible date for Babis’s nomination as prime minister-designate.
The president retains power to appoint the prime minister and key ministers, underscoring Pavel’s ongoing influence in shaping the next government.
Conflicts of Interest and Public Scrutiny
Babis, a billionaire businessman, still faces conflict-of-interest questions tied to his food, agriculture, and chemical conglomerate. Pavel said Babis has promised to publicly address these concerns before any appointment — a pledge that may prove crucial to public trust and EU relations.
A Balancing Act Ahead
The Czech Republic now stands at a political crossroads. With Babis poised to return to power, the balance between national sovereignty and European alignment will be tested once again. For both Prague and Brussels, the coming weeks will determine whether the country remains a pillar of Western unity — or begins a new chapter of populist divergence.
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