EditCzech Republic braces for “toxic” government: will Andrej Babiš become Viktor Orbán’s ally?
President Petr Pavel said the government should be committed to EU and NATO and ensure continued support to Ukraine
Viktor Orban’s hopes for the Czech Republic to join a eurosceptic Central European alliance hostile to Ukraine doen’t seem unfounded, at least at first glance, writes Yuriy Panchenko, editor and co-founder of EUalive’s partner European Pravda.
Hungary’s political director Balázs Orbán, a close aide to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has announced plans for a Central European alliance that would jointly resist pressure from the European Commission – and, crucially, act as an obstacle to Ukraine’s EU ambitions.
According to Budapest’s vision, the bloc would include not only Slovakia – where Prime Minister Robert Fico has expressed both pro-Orbán and pro-EU sentiments, but also the Czech Republic, where billionaire populist Andrej Babiš has been tasked with forming a new government.
Czech President Petr Pavel on 27 October authorised Babiš to begin talks on a coalition with the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and the populist “Motorists for Themselves.” The move immediately raised alarm in Brussels, given SPD’s openly anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian stance, and speculation that the new government could align with Hungary on key EU and NATO issues.
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However, Pavel has imposed clear conditions on Babiš. The president’s office said Pavel expects a government that “in no way undermines the democratic principles embodied in the Czech Constitution.” Among the prerequisites are a firm commitment to EU and NATO membership, continued support for Ukraine, and the exclusion of ministers with extremist or corrupt backgrounds.
During his Independence Day speech on 28 October, Pavel warned: “Russia has invested heavily in armaments not for peace but for the opposite. We must remain strong militarily, together with our allies, to deter aggression.”
That message was widely seen as a direct signal that Prague will not tolerate any attempt to shift foreign policy towards Moscow – a message that complicates Orban’s hopes for a regional bloc sympathetic to the Kremlin.
Scandals and fragile alliances
On 29 October, the three parties in Babiš’s proposed coalition said they had reached an agreement and planned to sign it on 3 November, the first day of the new parliament. Still, the line-up of ministers remains unsettled, with Babiš’s ANO party aiming to have the cabinet confirmed by mid-December.
The post of parliamentary speaker is expected to go to SPD leader Tomio Okamura – a figure notorious for inflammatory anti-Ukrainian rhetoric. Although Okamura’s new position would give him a prominent platform, it reportedly comes at the cost of limiting SPD’s influence over government policy.
Three ministries would nominally fall under SPD’s quota, but according to Czech media, Babiš has taken control of these appointments to avoid further clashes with the president. Among the expected nominations is General Jaromír Zuna, a former defence attaché in Beijing, seen as a compromise acceptable to Pavel.
The most explosive controversy, however, involves the “Motorists” party’s proposed foreign minister, Filip Turek. Shortly after his name was floated, Czech outlets unearthed deleted Facebook posts in which Turek praised Hitler and Mussolini and made racist and homophobic remarks. Pavel’s office has already declared that it would reject any cabinet including Turek, making his nomination the biggest obstacle to Babiš’s approval.
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A fragile majority and legal troubles
The brewing scandals come as Babiš himself faces a long-running criminal investigation over alleged EU subsidy fraud. Prosecutors are reportedly close to requesting the lifting of his parliamentary immunity, making a solid coalition majority vital for the ANO leader.
Analysts suggest that Babiš may ultimately opt for a minority government, relying on ad hoc parliamentary support. But for now, maintaining his alliance with SPD and the “Motorists” appears crucial to shield him from potential legal fallout.
Meanwhile, protests are being planned outside parliament against Okamura’s appointment as speaker, while opposition parties urge President Pavel not to approve a cabinet that includes extremists.
For Orbán, who hopes to expand his circle of regional allies, Prague’s political turbulence is a reminder that the “Central European alliance” he envisions may remain more an aspiration than a reality.
The original version of this article in Ukrainian can be found here.
Caption: Leader of the ANO (YES) movement Andrej Babis leaves after a meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel following the Czech general elections at the Prague Castle, in Prague, Czech Republic, 05 October 2025. According to final results, Andrej Babis’ ANO movement has won 34.5 percent of the vote in the general election. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK
Updated: October 31, 2025 - 06:44
