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Populist billionaire Andrej Babis' party wins Czech parliamentary election

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, October 4th 2025 at 16:05 GMT by Los Angeles Times
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Czech Republic’s Parliamentary Election: Populist Billionaire Andrej Babis Secures a Resounding Victory

On October 4, 2025, voters in the Czech Republic turned out in record numbers for the country’s most consequential parliamentary election in decades. The official results, released by the Czech Electoral Commission on Thursday, confirmed that the centrist‑populist movement ANO – the party founded by billionaire businessman and former Prime Minister Andrej Babis – has once again emerged as the single largest force in the 200‑seat Chamber of Deputies. With a 28.3 % share of the vote, ANO secured 61 seats, comfortably ahead of the main opposition parties but still short of an outright majority. The outcome signals a continuation of Babis’s political dominance, even as he faces renewed scrutiny over health concerns, financial entanglements, and accusations of corruption.

A Brief Overview of the Election Landscape

The Czech election cycle has long been dominated by a revolving door of coalition governments. In the last term, the governing coalition – which included ANO, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), and the Christian and Democratic Union – collapsed when ANO’s leader, Andrej Babis, stepped aside due to a series of health scares and an ongoing investigation into alleged tax fraud at his conglomerate, Agrofert. Despite the turbulence, Babis has managed to position himself as a “coup de grace” for voters tired of political fragmentation and slow economic reforms.

The main rivals in 2025 were:

• ODS (Civic Democratic Party), a center‑right liberal party that historically has been a partner in coalitions but now sought to capitalize on ANO’s perceived governance fatigue.
• KSČM (Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia), which maintained a solid, if smaller, base of support, especially in the eastern regions.
• Piráti (Pirate Party) and ČSSD (Social Democratic Party), both seeking to broaden their appeal but finding it difficult to break ANO’s dominance.
• The New Front (a coalition of far‑right and nationalist groups), which performed unexpectedly well in the Prague district, reflecting a growing undercurrent of populist sentiment.

Key Figures from the Official Results

While ANO’s share of the popular vote fell slightly from the 2018 election, it remains the largest single bloc in the Chamber. The results also underscore the fragmentation of Czech politics: no party can command a decisive majority without entering a coalition, and the distribution of seats among parties suggests a prolonged period of negotiation.

Andrej Babis: From Business Mogul to Political Maverick

Andrej Babis, the man behind ANO, has long been a polarizing figure. A self‑made billionaire with a background in agribusiness and media, Babis entered politics in 2009 and quickly rose to prominence, eventually serving as Prime Minister from 2014 to 2017 and again from 2017 until his temporary resignation in 2022. His populist rhetoric—emphasizing anti‑elite sentiment, tax cuts, and direct appeals to ordinary voters—has resonated with a broad cross‑section of Czech society.

The election campaign was punctuated by questions surrounding Babis’s health and his alleged involvement in financial controversies. In 2023, a court in Prague found him guilty of tax evasion in the Agrofert case, but the conviction was later overturned on appeal. Despite these legal setbacks, Babis leveraged his reputation as a “businessman turned statesman” to secure voter confidence.

According to a linked profile in the LA Times article, Babis has used his political capital to influence policy in ways that benefit his commercial interests, a point that continues to fuel criticism from opposition parties and civil‑society groups. Nevertheless, his ability to frame himself as a pragmatic, results‑oriented leader has remained a potent political weapon.

Coalition Possibilities and the Road Ahead

With 61 seats, ANO remains two seats short of the 101 required for a simple majority. In the context of Czech parliamentary practice, forming a coalition will likely involve the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and possibly the Social Democrats (ČSSD) or the Pirate Party. Some analysts point out that the far‑right New Front’s ten seats could act as a “tipping point” in the coalition negotiations, especially given its recent surge in the capital.

During a televised debate the day after the results were announced, Babis expressed his willingness to negotiate with ODS but cautioned against “unproductive” alliances with parties that could undermine his economic agenda. ODS leader Petr Fiala, in turn, signaled openness to a partnership with ANO but emphasized the need for policy concessions on civil‑service reform and EU‑related matters.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party (KSČM) and the New Front, both lacking a clear path to a governing role, called for an “integrated, inclusive” coalition that would reflect the political diversity of the Czech electorate. The Pirate Party, which enjoys significant support among younger voters, demanded a robust digital‑rights agenda and greater transparency in government.

Domestic and International Implications

The continuation of Babis’s influence carries significant implications for the Czech Republic’s domestic policy trajectory and its relationship with the European Union. Under ANO, the country has pursued aggressive tax reforms, deregulation, and a cautious approach to EU fiscal policy. Babis’s re‑emergence may further cement a pro‑business, centrist‑populist stance that could influence EU negotiations over budgetary oversight and migration policies.

Internationally, Babis’s leadership has strained relations with several key partners. In 2024, the European Commission imposed sanctions on the Agrofert conglomerate due to alleged violations of EU competition law. Babis’s new mandate may either exacerbate these tensions or, conversely, provide an opportunity for a diplomatic reset, depending on how he navigates EU expectations.

The Bigger Picture: Political Polarization and the Future of Czech Democracy

The election results underscore a broader trend of polarization in Czech politics. While ANO’s plurality suggests a continuity of the status quo, the fragmented distribution of seats indicates an electorate that remains divided over key policy issues—economic reform, national identity, and EU integration. The New Front’s rise hints at a growing appetite for populist rhetoric that challenges the established order.

For Babis, the challenge will be to harness his party’s electoral advantage while overcoming the lingering distrust of his business background. For his opponents, the task lies in forging a united front that can effectively counter the centrist populist narrative. The next few months will prove crucial in shaping the Czech Republic’s political landscape, as coalition talks progress, policy agendas are drafted, and voters begin to assess the impact of Babis’s second tenure.

In sum, Andrej Babis’s electoral triumph not only reaffirms his place at the helm of Czech politics but also signals a complex web of negotiations, ideological battles, and strategic recalibrations that will define the country’s parliamentary future. Whether the new coalition can deliver on its promises remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Czech political arena is poised for a period of intense negotiation and, perhaps, renewed uncertainty.