Czechs go to the polls on Friday and Saturday facing a deteriorating security situation in Europe and fears of Russian interference.
Populist billionaire Andrej Babis, 71, is tipped to head the next government, replacing the strongly pro-Western, pro-Ukraine coalition.
But he'll likely need allies on the extremes of Czech politics – and their price will not be cheap.
We'll never drag the Czech Republic to the East. I can absolutely rule that out, Babis told a crowd of mostly elderly supporters in Kladno, near Prague.
He cited past measures against Russian interference, including expelling diplomats after the 2014 explosion in a Czech ammunition dump linked to Russia.
Supporters were seen donning Babis's red baseball cap reading Strong Czechia, a nod to the U.S. MAGA movement, signaling his populist appeal.
However, analysts forecast Babis's ANO party will struggle to secure an outright majority, necessitating alliances with fringe parties known for their radical positions.
Polling indicates potential allies include ultra-nationalist factions and parties pushing for referendums on EU and NATO membership. Babis has publicly rejected aligning with Communists, but must negotiate with parties advocating significant policy shifts.
We criticize the European Union, but we don't want to destroy it, we want to reform it, stated deputy leader Karel Havlicek.
Concerns about Russian influence
As the elections approach, young progressive individuals express anxiety about the growing far-right sentiment in the Czech Republic, fearing the country might follow Hungary and Slovakia in anti-democratic governance.
Security analysts warn of increasing Russian disinformation campaigns targeting Czech politics, raising alarms about the implications of a Babis-led coalition that may dilute support for Ukraine and align closer to Moscow.
The upcoming elections are more than just a local decision; they could signal a shift in the broader geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe, with potential ramifications reaching far beyond Czech borders.
