Prague's political landscape just got a massive jolt. Honestly, if you’ve been following Central European politics at all, the recent headlines probably didn't shock you, but the scale of the victory sure did. Andrej Babiš, the billionaire businessman and former Prime Minister, didn't just win; he dominated. His ANO (Action of Dissatisfied Citizens) party secured a staggering 34.5% of the vote, marking a triumphant return to the top of the Czech political food chain.
It’s a huge comeback. After losing the 2021 election and a failed presidential bid in 2023, many pundits—myself included, if I’m being real—thought the Babiš era might be winding down. We were wrong. By October 2025, the mood in the Czech Republic had shifted. Inflation was biting, energy prices were a constant headache, and a lot of folks felt the previous government was more interested in Ukraine than in what was happening in small-town Moravia or Bohemia.
The Numbers That Changed Everything
When the final tallies came in from the Czech Statistical Office, the results were clear. ANO didn't just edge out the competition; they left them in the dust.
- ANO 2011: 34.5% (80 seats)
- SPOLU (The incumbent coalition): 23.4% (52 seats)
- STAN (Mayors and Independents): 11.2% (22 seats)
- Pirates: 8.9% (15 seats)
- SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy): 7.8% (18 seats)
- Motorists for Themselves: 6.8% (13 seats)
Total voter turnout hit nearly 69%. That’s high. People were engaged, or maybe they were just angry. Either way, they showed up.
Why Babiš Won Again
So, how does a guy with more legal baggage than a Boeing 747 pull this off? Babiš is currently facing renewed scrutiny over EU subsidy fraud, yet his supporters don't seem to care. Kinda reminds you of someone else across the Atlantic, right? He’s often called the "Czech Trump," and while that’s a bit of a lazy comparison, the populist energy is identical.
He kept the message simple: Czech citizens first. During the campaign, he hammered the Fiala administration on the economy. He promised to roll back the retirement age increase and vowed to stop what he calls "blank checks" to Ukraine. In his victory speech, he basically said the win was the "absolute peak" of his political career. He wasn't exaggerating. To go from a rejected former PM to a prime minister-designate with 80 seats is a feat of political survival.
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The New Power Trio: Who is Governing?
Babiš didn't get an outright majority. He needed friends. But he’d already burned bridges with the mainstream liberal parties. Instead, he looked to the right—way to the right.
As of mid-January 2026, we’ve seen the result of those talks. Babiš has successfully formed a coalition with the SPD (the anti-migrant party led by Tomio Okamura) and the Motorists for Themselves. This new "Right-Wing Trio" just survived their mandatory confidence vote on January 15, 2026, with 108 votes in favor.
The Motorists are the wild card here. Led by Filip Turek, a guy who loves cars and hates the EU’s Green Deal, they managed to snag the Ministry of Environment. Talk about irony. Their whole platform is built on protecting the internal combustion engine and fighting climate regulations.
What This Means for Europe and Ukraine
This is where things get sticky. For the last few years, the Czech Republic was one of Ukraine's most vocal cheerleaders. They led an initiative to find artillery shells globally and send them to the front lines.
That’s changing. Babiš has been very clear: the Czech Republic will no longer spend its own taxpayer money on weapons for Kyiv. They'll still "coordinate" the shell initiative, but the financial faucet is being turned off. He’s also ruled out any Czech participation in peacekeeping missions.
Basically, the "Prague-Kyiv" bromance is over.
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Instead, Babiš is cozying up to Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia. Together, they form a bloc within the EU that is skeptical of migration pacts, climate targets, and further integration. He’s already joined the "Patriots for Europe" group in the European Parliament. It’s a massive shift for a country that was, until recently, seen as a reliable pro-Western anchor in the East.
The Elephant in the Room: Legal Issues
We can't talk about Babiš without mentioning the courts. He’s been in and out of legal trouble for years regarding the "Stork’s Nest" subsidy case. The opposition is already accusing the new coalition of being a "shield" to protect the Prime Minister and his allies from prosecution.
Under Czech law, he has immunity as a member of parliament, and the new pro-Babiš majority isn't likely to vote to strip it away anytime soon. It’s a messy situation that keeps the country polarized. You either love him as a protector of the common man or loathe him as a billionaire using the state to protect his business empire, Agrofert.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Czech Republic?
The next few months are going to be a rollercoaster. We’re likely to see:
- A hard pivot on migration: Babiš has promised to reject the EU migration pact immediately.
- Economic shifts: Expect a push to lower taxes for young families and a potential fight with the EU over carbon emission schemes.
- Infrastructure focus: The Motorists will likely push for massive highway spending while trying to stall EV mandates.
- Tensions with Brussels: With Babiš, Orbán, and Fico aligned, the EU is going to find it much harder to pass unified policies on foreign aid and climate.
Honestly, the Czech Republic is entering a period of "Nationalism 2.0." It’s less about leaving the EU (though the SPD would love that) and more about staying inside and making as much noise as possible to protect local interests.
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If you’re watching from the outside, keep an eye on how the Czech Republic handles the next EU budget negotiations. That’s where the real sparks will fly.
What you should do now:
If you have business interests in Central Europe or follow geopolitical trends, it’s time to re-evaluate your risk assessments for the region. The pivot away from green energy initiatives in Prague could mean a slowdown in EV infrastructure development, but a boom in traditional construction and heavy industry.
Stay tuned to local news outlets like Radio Prague International or Expats.cz for daily updates on how the new cabinet is implementing these changes. The political climate is shifting fast, and what worked in 2024 definitely won't be the playbook for 2026.