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| Europe |
| "Czech Trump" Andrej Babis Wins Election, Returns As Prime Minister In Latest European Populist Revolt |
| 2025-10-05 |
| [ZH] Billionaire Andrej Babis's ANO party won the Czech Republic's general parliamentary election on Saturday, and is set to return as prime minister to the central European country, raising the prospect of yet another splinter government within the EU bloc that would boost Europe's populist, anti-immigration camp and reduce support for Ukraine. It was also another booming stamp of disapproval for the EU's policies. An ebullient Babis, also known as the Czech Trump - for being a septuagenarian billionaire campaigning on a populist message and passing out red caps to ardent supporters - told supporters that ANO would seek a one-party cabinet but would talk with two small parties - including the far-right SPD - for support as his party will lack an outright majority. He again rejected accusations that his win would make the central European nation a less reliable European Union and NATO partner. "We want to save Europe ... and we are clearly pro-European and pro-NATO," Babis told reporters. With 99% of voting districts counted, ANO was leading on 34.7% and Spolu in second on 23.2%, the Statistical Office said. Related: Andrej Babis 07/02/2024 Hungary's Orbán Announces New 'Patriots For Europe' Alliance With Austrian & Czech Nationalists Andrej Babis 03/23/2022 Polish security agency requests expulsion of 45 Russian officials from embassy Andrej Babis 10/11/2021 Czech president Milos Zeman hospitalized, affecting formation of new govt |
| Posted by:Frank G |