Czech President Taps Andrej Babis to Lead Talks on Forming New Government

Czech President Petr Pavel on Monday tasked Andrej Babis, leader of the populist ANO party, with leading negotiations to form a new government, marking a key step toward the billionaire former prime minister’s possible return to power. The move follows the October 3–4 parliamentary election, in which ANO emerged as the largest party.

Babis has been in talks with the right-wing Motorists party and the far-right SPD, which together would control 108 seats in the 200-member lower house. The three parties are finalising a joint government agenda expected to feature higher fiscal spending, reduced support for Ukraine, and stronger opposition to EU migration and climate policies — signalling a shift from outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s centre-right administration.

President Pavel, a former NATO official, said he would review the coalition’s programme later this week and urged the parties to maintain Czech support for Kyiv through the existing ammunition supply initiative. Babis, meanwhile, pledged to address concerns about potential conflicts of interest linked to his business empire before any formal nomination as prime minister.

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