Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has formed a coalition with two anti-EU parties, the SPD and Motorists, to create a new government. This alliance, which now controls 108 of 200 parliamentary seats, allows Babis to return as prime minister following the recent parliamentary elections where his ANO party secured 35% of the vote. The new government will be composed of the three parties, with ANO overseeing nine ministries, including finance and health, while SPD and Motorists will manage defense, agriculture, and foreign affairs, respectively.
Babis, a business tycoon with extensive ties to the agricultural sector, has long been a vocal critic of the EU’s handling of migration and environmental policies. He has also been a strong opponent of the EU’s military and financial support for Ukraine. During his campaign, he promised to reduce aid to Kiev, end austerity measures, and prioritize domestic spending. The new government will be confirmed by the Czech president within 30 days following the coalition’s formation. Babis has stated that he plans to have the new government formed by the end of November.
The coalition includes SPD, which has historically held anti-EU policies, and the Motorists party, which has also been critical of EU policies. The SPD leader, Tomio Okamura, hailed the pact as the end of a government that harmed Czech interests, while Motorists chief Petr Macinka called it the first step toward change demanded by voters. The new government’s formation marks a significant political shift in the Czech Republic, moving further away from pro-EU positions and toward a more Euroskeptic stance. This shift could have implications for the country’s foreign policy and its relations with the EU and other neighboring nations.