The Czech Republic’s President Petr Pavel on Monday requested former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to form a new government after his party ANO won the recent parliamentary elections.
Babiš, a populist billionaire, has been holding talks to build a majority coalition with two right-wing partners — Freedom and Direct Democracy, and Motorists for Themselves. All three parties are critical of the European Union’s policies on climate, migration and other issues. Analysts say their leadership could reduce Czech support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
President Pavel said Babiš has promised to submit a coalition agreement and its priorities within the week.
Under the current plan, the coalition would form a 16-member Cabinet, with ANO taking eight ministerial posts including the prime minister. Motorists for Themselves would control four ministries, while Freedom and Direct Democracy would get three.
ANO secured 34.51% of the vote in the October 3–4 election, defeating the pro-Western conservative alliance led by outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The three-party coalition would command 108 seats in the 200-seat lower house, sending Fiala’s bloc into opposition.