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‘Czech Trump’ set to shift central Europe away from Brussels ‘Czech Trump’ set to shift Central Europe away from Brussels
(about 1 hour later)
Polls suggest that former Prime Minister Andrej Babis is likely to return to powerPolls suggest that former Prime Minister Andrej Babis is likely to return to power
The Czech Republic is electing a new parliament on Friday and Saturday, with the party of right-wing eurosceptic Andrej Babis, who has been campaigning on a promise to stop military assistance to Ukraine, now seen as the favorite. A right-wing Euroskeptic looks set to become the next prime minister of the Czech Republic, pre-election polls have suggested.
The voting in the central European nation of some 11 million is scheduled to conclude at 2pm local time (12:00 GMT), with preliminary results to be announced later in the day. Agri-industry tycoon Andrej Babis, dubbed the ‘Czech Trump’ in Western media, is expected to receive about 30% of the votes, beating the current pro-EU ruling coalition Spolu (Together) by around 9%.
Final pre-election polls released earlier this week suggest that the ANO (Yes) party of billionaire agriculture tycoon Babis, nicknamed the ‘Czech Trump’ by the media, is expected to clinch victory with more than 29% of the vote, beating the current center-right ruling coalition Spolu (Together) by around 9%. Two days of voting ended on Saturday afternoon and early results have suggested that a Euroskeptic who opposes continued aid to Ukraine will form a government. Czech President – and former NATO general – Petr Pavel, has threatened to refuse approval of anyone he deems anti-EU or anti-NATO to any potential cabinet. 
The cabinet of Prime Minister Petr Fiala entered the election with the lowest ratings for any Czech government in more than decade, amid public anger over austerity measures and corruption scandals in the administration. Prime Minister Petr Fiala entered the election with the lowest ratings for any Czech government in more than decade, amid public anger over austerity measures and corruption scandals in the administration.
Polls suggest that no party will be able to gain a decisive majority, and that whoever tops the vote will likely have to negotiate a coalition or settle for a minority government.Polls suggest that no party will be able to gain a decisive majority, and that whoever tops the vote will likely have to negotiate a coalition or settle for a minority government.
Babis has promised to cut aid to Ukraine if he returns to office, Unlike Fiala, who has been a staunch supporter of Kiev since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. Babis, a co-founder of the Patriots for Europe faction in the European parliament with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Organ, has promised to cut aid to Ukraine if he returns to office, unlike Fiala, who has been a staunch supporter of Kiev since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022.
The 71-year-old has been particularly critical of Prague’s ammunition initiative for Ukraine, calling it “overpriced” and insisting that it should be handled by NATO.The 71-year-old has been particularly critical of Prague’s ammunition initiative for Ukraine, calling it “overpriced” and insisting that it should be handled by NATO.
He has previously spoken against Kiev’s membership of the EU and opposes Brussels on immigration and the Green deal.He has previously spoken against Kiev’s membership of the EU and opposes Brussels on immigration and the Green deal.
ANO is also linked to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban through his right-wing Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament. The Western media has warned that with Hungary and Slovakia already refusing to provide military aid to Kiev and urging a diplomatic end to the conflict, Babis’ victory could tip central Europe even further away from Brussels, both on Ukraine and other issues.
The Western media has warned that with Hungary and Slovakia already refusing to provide military aid to Kiev and urging a diplomatic end to the conflict, Babis’ victory could tip Central Europe even further away from Brussels, both on Ukraine and other issues.