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Populist Party of Former PM Babis Wins Czech Parliamentary Elections

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, October 4th 2025 at 18:35 GMT by breitbart.com
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Populist Party of Former PM Babiš Wins Czech Parliamentary Elections

In a surprising turn of events that has reverberated across Central Europe, the Czech Republic’s populist party led by former Prime Minister Petr Babiš secured a decisive victory in the country’s parliamentary elections held on October 3, 2025. The results, published by the Czech Electoral Commission the next day, showed the ANO 2011 party — commonly known simply as ANO, the "Citizens' Movement" — capturing 118 of the 200 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, giving it an outright majority and putting Babiš in a position to return to the nation’s top political office.

The election campaign was dominated by Babiš’s trademark populist narrative: a promise to put ordinary citizens over technocratic elites, a critique of the European Union’s perceived drift toward authoritarianism, and a call for tighter regulation of large corporations—an irony that has not gone unnoticed given Babiš’s own history of corporate deals. The party’s campaign slogan, “People First, Not Politicians,” resonated with a segment of the electorate that had grown disillusioned by a series of economic slowdowns, the ongoing energy crisis, and the handling of migration flows in the wake of the 2022–2024 European migrant crisis.

Election Results in Numbers

According to the official tally released on October 4, ANO 2011 received 39.7 % of the vote—an increase of 8.3 percentage points over the 2021 general election. The party secured 118 seats, surpassing the 101-seat threshold for a simple majority. The Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD), which had previously been the main opposition, finished with 30.4 % of the vote and 84 seats, a loss of 9 seats from the previous parliament. The Civic Democratic Party (ODS), led by Petr Fiala, took 11.2 % of the vote, earning 32 seats. The Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU‑ČSL) obtained 7.3 % of the vote for 20 seats. The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) maintained its 7.6 % share, translating into 21 seats. The remaining seats were divided among smaller parties such as the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the liberal Czech Pirate Party.

Voter turnout was reported at 56.8 %, a slight decline from the 58.9 % recorded in 2021. Analysts attribute the lower turnout to a sense of political fatigue among voters, as well as skepticism about whether any party could deliver substantive change after multiple coalition governments over the past decade.

Babiš’s Return and the Coalition Landscape

After the official announcement, Babiš addressed the nation in a televised speech from his Prague residence. He described the results as “a mandate from the Czech people to build a strong, independent Czech Republic,” and pledged to pursue a reform agenda that would include tax cuts for small and medium enterprises, increased investment in infrastructure, and a robust stance against perceived corruption within the EU bureaucracy.

The next logical question is how Babiš will govern. In the previous parliament, ANO had been in a coalition with SPD and ODS. Following the elections, however, ODS announced that it would not join the new government, citing disagreements over policy priorities and the need to protect its image as a center‑right party. SPD, on the other hand, has expressed willingness to enter a coalition, offering 18 seats in exchange for a role in the Finance Ministry and a commitment to enforce stricter oversight on state aid.

Analysts from the Czech Institute for Political Studies suggest that a coalition between ANO and SPD would bring the partnership to 136 seats, providing a comfortable majority and a stable governing platform. The coalition would likely focus on fiscal discipline, but it would also have to navigate divergent views on EU integration: SPD’s nationalist wing has been openly critical of the EU, while ANO has historically positioned itself as a Euro‑centric party, albeit with a populist twist.

Opposition Reaction

Petr Fiala, the ODS leader and former Prime Minister, described the election outcome as “unfortunate but inevitable.” In a press conference, he called for a “political crisis” and pledged that his party would function as the main opposition, holding the government accountable. “We have a duty to protect the democratic institutions of the Czech Republic,” Fiala said, adding that ODS would “never compromise the rule of law.”

Jan Hamáček of SPD issued a statement congratulating ANO on its victory and reaffirming SPD’s readiness to cooperate. “The people have spoken,” he said. “We will work together to ensure a stable, prosperous future for all Czech citizens.”

Implications for Czech and EU Politics

Babiš’s return to power has raised questions about the future trajectory of Czech politics. His leadership style—characterized by a blend of charismatic populism, business acumen, and a willingness to challenge established norms—could lead to significant policy shifts, especially in areas such as tax policy, media regulation, and foreign relations.

In the broader European context, Babiš’s victory signals a continuing trend of populist resurgence across the continent. Observers at the European Council note that the Czech Republic is now the second largest economy in Central Europe after Poland, and that its political alignment will influence the EU’s stance on issues ranging from energy independence to migration policy. Babiš has repeatedly expressed skepticism about the EU’s expansionist policies, and his administration may push for reforms in the EU’s fiscal framework to grant greater fiscal autonomy to member states.

Looking Ahead

The next steps for the newly elected parliament include the formal nomination and approval of the Prime Minister. According to the Czech Constitution, the President has the authority to appoint a candidate who can command a majority in the Chamber of Deputies. With ANO holding a clear majority, it is widely expected that President Miloš Zeman will appoint Babiš as the new Prime Minister within the next two weeks.

Babiš’s administration will need to address pressing domestic issues such as the rising cost of living, the integration of refugees and migrants, and the need to modernize the Czech energy grid to reduce dependence on Russian gas. Additionally, the government will face scrutiny over Babiš’s past controversies, notably allegations of conflict of interest regarding his former businesses and tax matters. The political opposition is poised to hold the government accountable through parliamentary oversight and public discourse.

In summary, the 2025 Czech parliamentary elections have restored the populist ANO 2011 party and former Prime Minister Petr Babiš to the center of the nation’s political arena. With a decisive majority in the Chamber of Deputies and a coalition that may include the nationalist SPD, Babiš is poised to steer Czech politics into a new chapter that will be closely watched by both domestic constituents and the European Union. The coming months will determine whether his promises translate into substantive policy changes and whether his leadership can reconcile the populist ethos with the demands of democratic governance.