Czech Billionaire Andrej Babis Aims for Power Amid Polarized Politics

Mon Oct 20 2025 18:34:50 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Czechs prepare to vote, populist billionaire Andrej Babis is positioned to lead the government, yet he may require support from extremist factions, potentially jeopardizing the nation’s Western alliances.

With elections approaching, Andrej Babis, a billionaire populist, seeks to lead the Czech government. While he claims to promote EU unity and rejects pro-Russian stances, forecasts suggest he may need to collaborate with less mainstream parties, raising concerns about the country's future political alignment and security commitments.

Czechs go to the polls on Friday and Saturday facing a deteriorating security situation in Europe and fears of Russian interference.

Populist billionaire Andrej Babis, 71, is tipped to head the next government, replacing the strongly pro-Western, pro-Ukraine coalition.

But he'll likely need allies on the extremes of Czech politics – and their price will not be cheap.

We'll never drag the Czech Republic to the East. I can absolutely rule that out, Babis told a crowd of mostly elderly supporters, gathered around a stage in the former steel town of Kladno, just outside Prague.

We weren't the ones who sat down with Putin - we were the ones who expelled Russian diplomats! he went on, referring to measures taken in his first term following revelations that Russia's GRU military intelligence had blown up a Czech ammunition dump in 2014.

A row of grey heads nodded as the former prime minister warmed to his theme.

And never - I repeat, never - will we consider leaving the European Union. Look at what happened to Great Britain! And they're a nuclear power. They've got gas, oil, a fishing industry. They're friends with Trump, he added.

Many supporters were wearing Babis's red baseball cap emblazoned with the words Strong Czechia – heavily inspired by Trump's Maga movement.

The problem for Babis – and it could soon become a problem for Nato and the EU – is that his ANO party is unlikely to win an overall majority.

Opinion polls and public statements suggest his choice of potential allies will be limited to the ultra-nationalist SPD, the anti-Green-Deal Motorists, and Enough! - a coalition of rebranded Communists, the remnants of the Social Democrats, and an unconventional politician dubbed Pitchfork.

During a debate with current Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Babis ruled out forming a coalition with the Communists, affirming, I'll sign a piece of paper to that effect right here in the studio. However, other potential partners want referendums on leaving the EU and NATO.

In contrast, ANO maintains that while they criticize the EU, they do not seek to dismantle it.

As the political narrative unfolds, young voters express concern that the Czech Republic might follow its neighbors Slovakia and Hungary down a path toward illiberalism and closer ties to Russia.

This election could redefine Czech politics, with implications for the country’s alliances and commitment to collective security with its Western partners.