On October 27, 2025, the political landscape of the Czech Republic took a decisive turn. President Petr Pavel officially tasked Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO movement and former prime minister, with the formidable responsibility of forming the next government. This move comes in the wake of parliamentary elections held on October 3-4, where Babiš’s ANO party emerged as the clear frontrunner, securing 34.5% of the vote and 80 seats in the 200-member lower house. Yet, despite this strong showing, ANO fell short of an outright majority, setting the stage for intricate coalition negotiations that have since captured the nation’s attention.
The president’s decision was not made in a vacuum. As reported by Radio Prague International and Euractiv, Pavel cited the election results, the progress of coalition talks to date, and the positions of other parliamentary parties as his guiding criteria. He emphasized that his role, as defined by the Czech constitution, is to appoint the prime minister and ensure that the process of government formation upholds the principles of democracy enshrined in the nation’s foundational laws. In a statement released by the Presidential Office, Pavel made his expectations clear: he wants a government that “in no way weakens the principles of our democratic state as embodied in the constitution of the Czech Republic.”
Babiš, a billionaire businessman and self-described “Trumpist,” previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021. His return to the political forefront is marked by both continuity and controversy. According to Denik N and UNN, Babiš’s ANO party is now in advanced talks with two right-wing parties: Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), a far-right group advocating for a referendum on Czech membership in the European Union, and the Motorists party, a newcomer that began as a single-issue movement opposing EU plans to phase out combustion engines. The SPD claimed 15 seats in the elections, while the Motorists secured 13, making them pivotal players in the coalition calculus.
Despite their shared skepticism of Brussels, there are notable differences among these parties. While SPD’s push for a so-called “Czexit” is a nonstarter for Babiš—who has publicly rejected the idea of leaving the EU—the Motorists’ focus remains firmly on domestic issues, especially transportation and energy policy. The coalition negotiations, therefore, have revolved around finding common ground on a joint program and distributing ministerial posts in a manner that satisfies all parties. As Babiš told journalists after his meeting with President Pavel, “We need to finish the coalition agreement and the program declaration, and as soon as these documents are ready, we will discuss the government’s personnel. I believe that we will achieve what I have set as my goal, namely that the government will be formed no later than mid-December.”
According to the Presidential Office and Reuters, the proposed cabinet is expected to have 16 members: nine from ANO, three from SPD, and four from the Motorists. However, some of the names floated for key posts have already sparked public controversy. The mention of Filip Turek, a new MP from the Motorists, as a possible foreign minister has drawn criticism due to his history of racist and homophobic social media posts, as well as references to notorious dictators. Environmentalists and cultural figures have also voiced opposition to other potential nominees, such as Petr Macinka for environment minister and Oto Klempir for culture minister. These disputes underscore the challenges facing Babiš as he seeks to balance coalition demands with public expectations and constitutional norms.
President Pavel has signaled his intention to take an active role in vetting the proposed cabinet. He has stated his readiness to meet with all ministerial candidates to discuss their priorities and ensure their commitment to democratic principles. This hands-on approach reflects the heightened scrutiny surrounding the new government’s formation, especially given the controversial backgrounds of some potential ministers and the ideological diversity within the coalition.
Another issue looming over Babiš’s return to power is his longstanding conflict of interest. As the owner of the vast Agrofert holding company, Babiš has faced criticism and legal scrutiny over the intersection of his business and political interests. In his meeting with President Pavel, Babiš assured that he would publicly address these concerns before his appointment as prime minister, a promise that observers will be watching closely in the coming weeks.
The coalition negotiations are unfolding against a backdrop of broader geopolitical tensions. The outgoing center-right government has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing both humanitarian and military aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Babiš, by contrast, has expressed skepticism about the extent of Czech involvement. In October, he declared that a government led by his party would not finance the supply of weapons to Ukraine from the state budget, calling the Czech initiative to supply ammunition “too expensive for Czech taxpayers.” This stance marks a potential pivot in Czech foreign policy, with implications for the country’s role within the EU and NATO, as well as its relationship with Kyiv.
Despite his Ukrainian roots—his family traces its origins to Yasinya in Zakarpattia—Babiš has made several harsh statements about Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in recent years. Political analyst Dmytro Levus, cited by UNN, remarked, “I don’t think it will be that radical, but the issue of reducing aid to Ukraine will certainly be raised constantly.” The outcome of coalition talks will likely determine whether Prague maintains its current course or adopts a more restrained approach to the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, the Czech public is watching the process with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The parliamentary elections themselves were notable for several reasons: turnout exceeded 50% nationwide, and for the first time, Czech citizens living abroad were able to vote by mail. The proportional system ensured a diverse array of parties in parliament, but also necessitated the kind of coalition-building now underway.
As of now, two or three contentious points reportedly remain in the coalition talks, with further negotiations scheduled for Wednesday after October 27. Babiš has promised to present the full coalition agreement and cabinet lineup to President Pavel in the second half of the week, once all personnel and programmatic issues have been resolved. The president, for his part, has made it clear that the timeline for the next meeting will be dictated by developments in the negotiations and the approval of basic documents by all coalition partners.
The coming weeks will be decisive for the Czech Republic’s political direction. Will Babiš succeed in forging a stable coalition that satisfies both his partners and the broader public? And how will the new government navigate the complex challenges of domestic reform, European integration, and international solidarity? For now, all eyes remain fixed on Prague, where the future of Czech democracy—and its place in the world—hangs in the balance.
