Babiš's ANO Wins, Seeks Far-Right Backing

Billionaire ex-premier Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement won the Czech parliamentary election with about 34.6–35.5% of the vote and roughly 80 seats, making it the largest party but short of a majority. Babiš said he will seek to form a single-party minority government backed by far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the Motorists party, though he will need kingmakers to secure parliamentary support. He campaigned on expanded welfare measures and on slowing or halting military aid to Ukraine, has vowed to review Czech-led artillery supplies, and said he would discuss policy with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while insisting he remains pro‑European and pro‑NATO. Observers warned the result could strengthen Europe’s populist, Euroskeptic bloc and pull Czech policy closer to leaders such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico; Orbán and France’s Marine Le Pen quickly congratulated Babiš. Practical hurdles remain, including negotiations with potential partners, conflict-of-interest questions tied to Babiš’s business holdings, and the need for presidential approval before a government can be formed.