Czech President Petr Pavel Tasks Andrej Babiš with Forming Coalition Government

Czech President Petr Pavel has officially tasked Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO movement and former Prime Minister, with forming a new government following ANO's victory in the parliamentary elections. Babiš is negotiating a coalition agreement with the right-wing parties Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and Motorists for Themselves, aiming to finalize the coalition and government program by mid-December. The proposed coalition is eurosceptic and critical of EU policies, including the Czech initiative to supply arms to Ukraine, which Babiš has opposed funding from the state budget. President Pavel has emphasized the importance of a government that respects democratic principles and is focused on foreign and security policy priorities. Babiš has promised to resolve his conflict of interest publicly before his appointment and will present the coalition agreement and candidate ministers to Pavel for approval. The coalition would hold a majority in the 200-seat Czech Parliament, signaling a shift away from the previous pro-Western government led by Petr Fiala.