Babiš's Populist ANO Wins Czech Election, Threatening Ukraine Support

Andrej Babiš's populist ANO party has won the largest share of votes in the Czech Republic's 2025 parliamentary elections, securing around 35-38% of the vote but falling short of an outright majority. Babiš aims to form a one-party government but will likely need to negotiate with smaller parties such as the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the Motorists party to secure parliamentary support. His victory signals a potential shift in Czech foreign policy, moving away from strong support for Ukraine and aligning more closely with pro-Russian governments like Hungary and Slovakia, which may jeopardize Czech-led arms supplies to Kyiv amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Babiš, an ally of Hungary's Viktor Orbán, has rejected calls to withdraw from the EU and NATO but has pledged to end the Czech initiative that purchased artillery shells for Ukraine, favoring aid managed by NATO and the EU instead. His campaign promises focus on economic growth, higher wages, and tax breaks, resonating with voters affected by inflation, although he faces legal challenges related to conflict of interest and fraud allegations. The election outcome could strengthen Europe's populist, anti-immigration bloc while altering the Czech Republic's role as a reliable partner to the EU and NATO.