As voters in the wrapped up a second day of voting in the country’s parliamentary election, a familiar face looks set to return to power.
With over 90% of votes counted the of billionaire former Prime Minister , a self-described “Trumpist” who opposes continued military assistance for Ukraine, had garnered 36% of the vote.
ANO translates to “Yes” but is also an acronym for Action of Dissatisfied Citizens.
The center-right Spolu (Together) coalition, headed by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, is on track to take 22.4% of the vote.
Earlier on Saturday, the liberal-conservative bloc, STAN, was polling around 10%, with numerous others also garnering support.
What will the consequences of a Babis/ANO victory be for Ukraine and the EU?
Observers fear ANO’s victory in the Chamber of Deputies vote could spell trouble for Ukraine. The Czech Republic under Fiala has been a steadfast ally to Kyiv.
Saturday’s result could further affect the balance of power within the EU as well, with the Czech Republic potentially joining truculent and in opposition to Brussels. Hungary and Slovakia have rejected Ukraine military aid and challenged EU sanctions against Russia.
Babis has dubbed himself a “peacemonger” during the campaign and promised a “Czech first” approach to leadership.
Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot in the eastern city of Ostrava, Babis said, “Nothing is certain, we haven’t won yet.”
Fiala, casting his ballot in Brno, made the stakes of the election clear, saying voters are “deciding the direction of the Czech Republic … whether we head into the past or into the future, whether our path goes east or west.”
What happens if Babis and ANO don’t win an outright majority?
Though ANO has apparently come out on top, it’s unlikely to win an absolute majority, meaning Babis would be forced to form a coalition.
A likely partner would seem to be the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, which was polling at around 12% on Saturday.
Observers say the SPD has spent far more than all other parties on online advertising. It is also accused of using TikTok accounts to “systematically spread pro-Russian propaganda and support anti-system parties through manipulated engagement.”
As a result, the European Commission on Thursday called an “emergency meeting” with the operators of TikTok, leading to the removal of “several bots” from the platform “in the context of Czech elections.”
Polls closed at 2 p.m. (1200 GMT) with Czech media reporting that voter turnout was high on Friday.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
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