Former Czech Prime Minister Andrei Babiss, whose wealth is estimated at three billion euros, was called “Czech Donald Trump”, but his party suffered an unexpected defeat in the parliamentary elections, which could mean the end of the populist era in the Czech Republic.
The UN-led party “UN 2011” won the most seats (72), but five other parties have united against it, which together will have an overwhelming majority in parliament (108 out of 200 seats).
Union of Pirates and Mayors
The process of forming a government is hampered by the fact that Czech President Milos Zeman has been hospitalized and it is unknown when he will be able to return fully to work.
Results of the Czech parliamentary elections
Photo: LTV
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The populist movement “UN 2011” formed by Babiss received 27.2% of the vote in the parliamentary elections, but the association of center-right parties “Spolu” or “Together” won a little more (27.7%). The leader of this association, Petr Fiala, is the most realistic candidate for the position of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.
Several other parties intend to join the government, such as the Union of Pirates and Mayors, which has won 15.5% of the vote.
If the parties keep their promises and unite against Babiss, it will be impossible for him to remain prime minister. Babiss’s explanation of the election results was laconic: “We had five parties with one goal – to overthrow Babish.”
In the Czech capital, Prague, the protester’s hat is decorated with the slogan “Let’s make Babish Slovak again”. Czech Prime Minister Babisz was born and raised in Slovakia.
Photo: EPA
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Conflict of interest
Babish, 67, had hoped to stay in power, promising to increase public sector wages and pensions, and criticizing the European Union, especially its migration policy.
His opponents, meanwhile, have criticized the increase in public debt for populist purposes and have long seen him as a conflict of interest of a politician in managing his business empire.
Babish’s name was also appeared in the recently published “Pandora’s Documents”, where the offshore schemes of his companies were opened with the purchase of 14 million euro villas in France.
The Babish government has not been very successful in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic either – the Czech Republic ranks seventh in the world in terms of deaths per million inhabitants.
Ran the country as a company
Czech political analysts believe that Babish’s departure would mark the end of an era of political populism in another European country.
“Babiss was used to making decisions immediately – I have an idea, I want to implement it and I will make it happen! It was his business style that he tried to put into politics.
Therefore, perhaps the biggest change right now will be a return to, so to speak, a more traditional political system, ”says Peter Justs, a professor at the University of Prague.
Coalition talks are currently hampered by both the large number of parties entering parliament and the deteriorating health of Czech President Milos Zeman immediately after the announcement of the election results. Zemans is considered a close ally of Babish and, among others, one of the most pro-Russian politicians in Europe.
Czech President Milos Zeman portrayed as poodle of Russian leader Vladimir Putin during protest in Prague
Photo: AFP
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The new government will refrain from conflicts with Brussels
According to doctors, 77-year-old Zeman’s health has worsened due to chronic illness – the president, who has long been associated with excessive smoking and alcohol use, is suffering from complications from diabetes.
“The reason for his hospitalization is complications related to his chronic diseases, which are treated in our hospital. This means that we know the exact diagnosis and can offer appropriate treatment, ”said the hospital representatives.
Meanwhile, in foreign policy, Babiss’s departure could mean the loss of another ally to Poland, whose government has become even more so in recent days. has intensified relations with the European Union. In the outlines of the new ruling coalition, experts see a departure from the confrontation with Brussels.
“From a geopolitical point of view, the incoming government, if approved, will have a very clear pro-Western orientation. This means that we cannot expect the threat of a sudden referendum on leaving NATO or the European Union, ”concludes Professor Justs.
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