🔗 Share this article Czech Populist Leader Andrej Babiš Begins Government Formation Following Poll Triumph The populist billionaire has met with Czech President Petr Pavel and is set to consult with other political leaders as he embarks on the challenging process of building a durable administration subsequent to his ANO party triumphed at the polls while missing an decisive mandate. Voting Figures Final tallies showed ANO secured 34.5% of the vote from Friday and Saturday's election, translating to a provisional 80 seats in the 200-member parliament. The center-right alliance led by outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala placed second with 23.4%. "I've vowed to show the president an approach that will comply with Czech and European laws," Babiš stated before the negotiations began. Political Challenges Despite praising the "unprecedented achievement" as "the zenith" of his governmental journey, Babiš faces significant obstacles both to assume the premiership and to secure and maintain support for the one-party cabinet he has outlined. Three established parties have previously rejected forming an alliance with ANO, pushing the leader to court approval from minor right-leaning parties. "We will conduct talks with the SPD and the Motorists, and seek a one-party administration headed by ANO," he affirmed. Governing Agenda The billionaire, positioned as the country's seventh-richest man with an approximate fortune of $3.9 billion, campaigned on commitments to accelerated development, increased salaries and retirement benefits and decreased levies. He also committed to challenge the EU's immigration agreement and green deal, and to discontinue the shells-for-Ukraine initiative, instead supporting Kyiv exclusively through EU channels. Possible Partners Babiš's movement holds some common ground with the far-right SPD, which also opposes EU environmental and border regulations – as does the compact right-leaning Drivers group. The more radical Kremlin-aligned, anti-Nato, anti-European Union SPD also ran on a "departure" promise to withdraw Czechia from the organization, which Babiš has categorically rejected. He has consistently maintained his party is "pro-EU, and pro-Nato". Discussion Scenarios The Motorists party and the SPD have expressed openness to discussions with ANO, but it remains uncertain how far either party will choose to back a one-party administration instead of pursuing a official partnership treaty – or how long such backing could last. Political analysts observed that the SPD's ballot percentage was substantially reduced than the 13% forecast before the election, meaning its bargaining power in negotiations concerning support arrangement would not be as powerful as earlier thought. Constitutional Considerations Even assuming Babiš is finally successful to demonstrate to the head of state – who beat Babiš in 2023 presidential elections – with a multi-party agreement representing a 101-seat majority in parliament, his challenges could continue. The head of state announced prior to voting that he would not appoint any ministers who sought Czechia's withdrawal from the EU or from Nato. He has also indicated he was seeking guidance from lawyers regarding a conceivable integrity issue involving the billionaire. International Reactions EU populist politicians including Viktor Orbán, who posted on social media that "Reality has won!", and France's Marine Le Pen, who said "sovereignty movements" were being "invited to lead all over Europe", have praised the victory. Nevertheless, while ANO is part of the conservative EU legislature faction and Babiš has characterized himself as an supporter of the Hungarian leader, the union's main challenger, it is unclear how far he will associate with the anti-EU camp. Analyst Perspectives Policy observers contend Babiš's approach is more practical than doctrinal and that he is unlikely to pick a major confrontation with the EU as long as the the nation depends on bloc support and the billionaire's businesses continue to gain from European membership. Czech institutions are also probable to restrict the leader domestically, with radical shifts likely to be hindered by the upper house, which can veto any proposed electoral law or fundamental law amendments and must approve judges named to the constitutional court.