Andrej Babis returns as Czech prime minister in new right-wing coalition

Andrej Babis has been appointed prime minister of the Czech Republic for the third time, leading a coalition with far-right and protest parties. The 71-year-old returns to power nearly four years after his previous term.
Czech President Petr Pavel has formally appointed Andrej Babis as the country's new prime minister, marking the populist leader's return to power after nearly four years. Babis, the 71-year-old leader of the ANO party, will become the oldest politician to lead a Czech government following a ceremony at Prague Castle on Tuesday.
A coalition with the far-right and protest parties
Babis will lead a coalition government composed of his own ANO movement, the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, and the smaller protest Motorists' party. The formation of this right-leaning alliance follows weeks of political negotiations and consultations between President Pavel and ministerial candidates. The full cabinet is expected to be sworn in early next week, according to local media.
Babis's pledge and a lingering nomination issue
In a statement on the social media platform X, the newly appointed prime minister pledged to defend the interests of all citizens and work to make the Czech Republic "the best place to live." However, one nomination remains unresolved: President Pavel reportedly maintains reservations about the Motorists' party nominee Filip Turek, who missed a scheduled meeting due to health reasons. The president is expected to revisit this nomination before the final appointments are made.
European context and Babis's political history
European Council President Antonio Costa congratulated Babis, expressing a desire for cooperation within the EU framework. Babis previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021, a tenure marked by clashes with EU institutions over rule-of-law and migration issues. His return at the head of a coalition that includes a far-right partner is likely to shape Prague's stance on European policies, particularly regarding immigration and sovereignty.
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