Andrej Babis: Populist Billionaire Seeks Power in Czech Elections Amid Rising Extremism

Fri Oct 10 2025 11:27:33 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Czech populist billionaire Andrej Babis aims to lead the government, but may need to partner with extreme factions amidst fears of Russian interference and declining security in Europe.

Czechs approach elections facing increased security challenges and the potential rise of populist leader Andrej Babis. While Babis seeks to assure voters of his pro-European stance, he may be forced to ally with parties that advocate far-right and anti-EU sentiments. The implications of these alliances could reshape Czech policies toward Russia, NATO, and the EU, raising concerns for progressive voters.

Czechs go to the polls on Friday and Saturday facing a deteriorating security situation in Europe and fears of Russian interference.

Populist billionaire Andrej Babis, 71, is tipped to head the next government, replacing the strongly pro-Western, pro-Ukraine coalition.

But he'll likely need allies on the extremes of Czech politics – and their price will not be cheap.

We'll never drag the Czech Republic to the East. I can absolutely rule that out, Babis told a crowd of mostly elderly supporters, gathered around a stage in the former steel town of Kladno, just outside Prague.

We weren't the ones who sat down with Putin - we were the ones who expelled Russian diplomats! he went on, referring to measures taken in his first term following revelations that Russia's GRU military intelligence had blown up a Czech ammunition dump in 2014.

A row of grey heads nodded as the former prime minister warmed to his theme. And never - I repeat, never - will we consider leaving the European Union. Look at what happened to Great Britain! And they're a nuclear power. They've got gas, oil, a fishing industry. They're friends with Trump, he added.

Many supporters were wearing Babis's red baseball cap emblazoned with the words Strong Czechia – heavily inspired by Trump's Maga movement.

The problem for Babis – and it could soon become a problem for NATO and the EU – is that his ANO party is unlikely to win an overall majority.

Instead, he will likely need to form alliances with smaller parties on the fringes of Czech politics.

Opinion polls and public statements suggest his choice of potential allies will be limited to the ultra-nationalist SPD, the anti-Green-Deal Motorists, and Enough! - who are an ad-hoc coalition of rebranded Communists, the remnants of the once-mighty Social Democrats, and a blogger in a black hat who calls himself Pitchfork (the Czech word for redneck).

On Wednesday night, during his only head-to-head debate with Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Andrej Babis ruled out forming a coalition with the Communists. I'll sign a piece of paper to that effect right here in the studio, he said.

Several of his potential allies want referendums on leaving the EU and NATO.

ANO says that is not going to happen.

We criticise the European Union, but we don't want to destroy it, we want to reform it, deputy leader Karel Havlicek told the BBC.

While pulling at the heartstrings of older voters, students like Ondrej Kapralek express fears that the rise of extreme nationalism could threaten the future stability and security of the country.

As Babis's campaign continues, he faces a challenging landscape where potential coalition partners may push for policies that diverge considerably from his proclaimed pro-EU and pro-NATO stance.