Czech MPs approve confidence vote in Babiš-led coalition government

The Czech parliament has voted to give its confidence to a new coalition government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, following a marathon debate that lasted more than 26 hours over three sitting days.

All 108 MPs from the three governing parties — ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD) and the Motorists — backed the cabinet in Thursday (January 15) evening’s vote, Caliber.Az reports via Czech media.

Ninety-one opposition lawmakers voted against, while one MP from the Mayors and Independents party (STAN) was absent for health reasons.

Speaking after the vote, Babiš welcomed the unanimous support from coalition MPs, calling it an important sign of unity. He later thanked lawmakers on social media and said the government’s main obligation was to honour the trust voters had given it in the election. He pledged regular updates on progress in delivering the government’s programme.

The vote followed the longest confidence debate in Czech parliamentary history. Babiš criticised some opposition speeches as hostile and said insults had been voiced during the discussion. He also said he had held talks earlier in the week with SPD MPs to secure full backing, amid internal concerns over a controversial ammunition initiative. He said the discussions eventually took place in a calm and constructive atmosphere.

Opposition leaders said the outcome had never been in doubt. Former prime minister and Civic Democratic Party (ODS) leader Petr Fiala said even “the greatest optimist” could not have expected the government to fail the vote. He said opposition parties had used the debate to highlight what they see as the risks associated with the new administration.

Fiala later wrote on X that the Babiš government did not, and could not, have his confidence, describing it as “a government of destruction” that offered no credible alternative policies.

Similar statements were made by other opposition leaders. Pirate Party chairman Zdeněk Hřib said the government may have won parliamentary confidence but not the trust of the opposition. Interior Minister and STAN leader Vít Rakušan said the cabinet had secured backing only to prevent Babiš from facing prosecution. TOP 09 leader Matěj Ondřej Havel also said his party did not trust the government.

By contrast, Finance Minister Alena Schillerová said the vote marked the start of turning the coalition’s economic strategy and programme into reality.

The confidence vote took place 103 days after the parliamentary election. Four years ago, MPs approved the previous government led by Petr Fiala 96 days after polling day.