Summary
Andrej Babis' party, ANO, has won the Czech Republic's parliamentary elections but did not get enough seats to govern alone. Babis, a former prime minister, may try to form a coalition with other right-wing parties to gain a majority.
Key Facts
- Andrej Babis' ANO party received just under 35% of the vote in the Czech parliamentary elections.
- ANO earned 81 seats in the 200-seat lower house of parliament.
- Babis previously served as the Czech prime minister from 2017 to 2021.
- Two right-wing parties, the Motorists for Themselves and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), could help ANO form a coalition.
- ANO and the Motorists share concerns about the EU's emissions targets and oppose the ban on new petrol and diesel cars after 2035.
- SPD has a more complex relationship with ANO, due to differing views and its ties with far-right fringe parties.
- Babis has ruled out a referendum on EU or NATO membership, which SPD supports.
- Babis criticized aid to Ukraine during his campaign, contrasting SPD's stronger anti-Ukrainian stance.
