Andrej Babiš, a billionaire ally of U.S. president Donald Trump, returned to power as Czech prime minister on Tuesday, December 9th.His ANO movement, which won October’s elections, has formed a coalition with two other parties. Their policy statement argues the European Union has “its limits” and cannot override national sovereignty.
Critics point to him facing a fraud trial and to growing concerns over what they see as controversial members of his ruling coalition, predicting a turbulent new term ahead.
After being appointed by President Petr Pavel, Babiš—who previously governed from 2017 to 2021—pledged to “fight for the interests” of Czech citizens. The new premier also vowed to reduce assistance to Ukraine, reversing the outgoing government’s pro-war stance.
Babiš begins his term under legal and ‘ethical’ pressure. He faces a €2 million fraud trial over allegations he manipulated ownership of a farm to secure EU subsidies and he has long denied accusations of past links to the Communist-era secret police.
Babiš’s ANO and its partners sit with the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament which he co-founded with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
