Babis Leads Czech Elections, Set to Return to Power
Andrej Babis, former Prime Minister, wins parliamentary elections in Czech Republic with 36% of the vote. Concerns arise over implications for Ukraine and EU relations amid potential one-party government.
Babis wins 36% of votes
Plans to form a one-party Cabinet
Concerns for Ukraine's military aid
Potential shift in EU relations
Coalition needed if absolute majority not achieved
High voter turnout reported
Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO party won the highest vote share in the 3–4 October parliamentary election but fell short of a majority. ANO’s stance to halt direct Czech military aid to Ukraine signals a shift in Prague’s foreign policy and aligns it with Hungary and Slovakia on EU sanctions and defence support.
Election Results and Turnout
Voter turnout reached 68.95 percent, up 3.5 points from 2021. Official results from the Czech Statistical Office and Volby.cz show:[1]
Party
Vote %
Seats
Change vs 2021
ANO 2011 (Yes)
34.52
80
+8
SPOLU (Civic Democratic, KDU-ČSL, TOP 09)
23.36
52
–19
Mayors and Independents (STAN)
11.23
22
–11
Czech Pirate Party
8.97
18
+14
Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD)
7.78
15
–5
Motorists for Themselves (AUTO)
6.77
13
New
Seats required for a majority: 101 of 200.[2][1]
Coalition Prospects
With 80 seats, ANO is 21 seats shy of a majority. Babiš has rejected broad coalitions and aims for a one-party minority government. Potential supporters include:[3]
Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD): 15 seats.[1]
Motorists for Themselves (AUTO): 13 seats.[1]
Combined ANO+SPD+AUTO would hold 108 seats, enabling a minority cabinet but lacking a supermajority for constitutional amendments.[4][2]
Ukraine Aid and Foreign Policy Shift
Under Petr Fiala, Czechia led a €1.5 billion ammunition procurement initiative for Ukraine, coordinating 16 European partners. Babiš campaigned to:[5][6]
End direct Czech arms transfers and transition aid through NATO or EU budgets.[7][4]
Cancel the Czech-led ammunition scheme, calling it “overpriced” and “non-transparent” while conceding it could be overseen by NATO.[5][7]
President Petr Pavel—former NATO general—urged parties to maintain the initiative, warning that halting it would harm Czech security and Ukraine’s defence, potentially costing lives.[8][9][5]
Implications for the European Union
A government of ANO, SPD and AUTO would join Hungary and Slovakia in resisting further Ukraine aid and opposing new Russia sanctions, challenging EU unity on defence, sanctions enforcement and migration policy.[10][11][2]
Next Steps
President Petr Pavel will nominate the prime minister following consultations with party leaders.[4]
ANO, SPD and AUTO will negotiate a coalition framework, expected to conclude by early November.[12][4]
The new cabinet must secure a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies within 30 days of its appointment.
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