October 3, 2025 - October 4, 2025 - A win for right-wing billionaire Andrej Babiš, currently leading in Czech parliamentary polls, would strengthen the EU’s populist, anti-immigration camp and potentially undermine support for Ukraine.
Babiš heads the Action of Dissatisfied Citizens (ANO), a populist party he founded and led as prime minister from 2017 to 2021. Since leaving office, he has described himself as a “Trumpist” and helped establish Patriots for Europe in the European Parliament, joining forces with other far-right parties.
Analysts warn that an ANO-led government would likely confront Brussels over climate and migration policies, reduce backing for Kyiv, and align more closely with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, one of the EU’s most vocal critics of sanctions against Russia.
The main challenger is the SPOLU (Together) coalition, a centre-right alliance dominated by the Civic Democrats (ODS) of incumbent Prime Minister Petr Fiala. SPOLU has pledged to increase defense spending to meet NATO targets and maintain strong support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
The Czech election outcome will not only determine the country’s domestic political direction but could also reshape debates inside the EU at a critical moment for European security and solidarity.
