Andrej Babis’s ANO party won the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election on Saturday with 34.7% of the vote, prompting coalition talks as it fell short of a majority.
With nearly all precincts counted, ANO secured 34.7% of the vote, followed by the centre-right Spolu alliance with 23.2%, according to the Czech Statistical Office. Projections suggested ANO would hold about 80 of the 200 seats in the lower house, requiring support from other parties to form a government.
Babis said he aimed to establish a one-party cabinet and would consult smaller groups, including the Motorists party and the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) movement. Leaders of both parties said they were open to talks. President Petr Pavel is expected to begin consultations with party leaders on Sunday before appointing a prime minister.
During the campaign, ANO pledged faster economic growth, higher wages and pensions, and tax cuts for students and young families. The proposals, which would increase public spending, gained traction among voters facing rising living costs.
Babis denied suggestions that his leadership would distance Prague from the EU or NATO, saying “we are clearly pro-European and pro-NATO.” However, he has said future aid for Ukraine should be coordinated through NATO and the EU, and has criticised the Czech-led ammunition initiative for Kyiv funded by Western partners.
Among smaller parties, SPD received 7.8%, while the far-left Stacilo! party failed to pass the 5% threshold. Outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala of Spolu conceded defeat and congratulated Babis.
Babis still faces challenges, including conflict-of-interest laws related to his business holdings and fraud allegations over an EU subsidy, which he denies. In European politics, he has aligned with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban within the Patriots for Europe group and has been a vocal critic of the EU’s Green policies.
The outcome now hinges on whether ANO can secure parliamentary backing to form a functioning government, pending President Pavel’s decision on the next prime minister.
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