Babiš sworn as Czech PM, launching new coalition government

Andrej Babiš was formally sworn in as the Czech Republic’s new prime minister on December 9, marking a political comeback for the businessman-turned-politician following the October parliamentary election.

Babiš, who previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021, pledged that he “will fight for [Czechs’] interests at home and anywhere in the world” and said he would work to ensure the Czech Republic becomes “the best place for life on earth”, according to foreign media reports.

President Petr Pavel administered the oath of office. Pavel had invited Babiš to form a new government after his ANO (YES) movement scored a decisive victory in the October 3–4 vote and subsequently reached an agreement to build a majority coalition with two smaller groups: the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) anti-migrant party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves movement.

Under the coalition agreement, the three parties plan to establish a 16-member Cabinet. ANO will hold eight ministerial posts and the prime minister’s office, while the Motorists for Themselves are set to receive four positions and the SPD three.

Together, the coalition partners command 108 seats in the 200-member lower house of parliament. Their majority pushes the four centre-right parties of outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s pro-Western government into the opposition.

It remains unclear when President Pavel will appoint the full Cabinet, though its eventual confirmation is expected to bring a significant shift in government policy. The new coalition has signalled intentions to align more closely with the approaches of Hungary and Slovakia, moving the Czech Republic away from support for Ukraine in Russia’s nearly four-year war. Coalition members are also openly critical of the European Union and reject several of its policies, particularly those concerning environmental regulations and migration.

Babiš, 71, continues to face fraud charges over alleged misuse of EU subsidies. For the case to proceed to a court ruling, the new parliament will need to lift his immunity.

After losing the 2021 parliamentary election, Babiš was defeated by Pavel—then a retired army general—in the race for the largely ceremonial presidency.

His appointment as prime minister came only after he met a condition set by President Pavel: that he publicly commit to divesting his major business assets to prevent conflicts of interest arising from his political office and private economic activities. Babiš controls roughly 200 companies through the Agrofert conglomerate. He announced that Agrofert will be managed by an independent trustee within a trust fund, overseen by an independent protector for the rest of his lifetime, after which his descendants will inherit it.

In addition to Agrofert, Babiš owns a network of clinics and laboratories. One of his close allies from ANO is now a candidate for the post of health minister in the incoming government.

By Tamilla Hasanova