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Babiš Sworn In as Czech Prime Minister, Launches Coalition to Curb Ukraine Aid and Defy Key EU Policies

The three-party bloc claims 108 seats with a 16-member cabinet under ANO control.

ANO party leader Andrej Babis signs a document on the day he is appointed as the country's new Prime Minister at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Eva Korinkova
ANO party leader Andrej Babis stands on the day Czech President Petr Pavel appoints him as the country's new Prime Minister at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Eva Korinkova
Leader of ANO political movement Andrej Babis addresses the media after being sworn in as the country's new prime minister at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Andrej Babis (L) has vowed to fight for Czech interests

Overview

  • President Petr Pavel swore in the new government at Prague Castle, concluding Petr Fiala’s pro-Western administration.
  • The coalition pairs ANO with Freedom and Direct Democracy and Motorists for Themselves, giving the bloc a narrow majority in the 200-seat parliament.
  • Andrej Babiš rejects Czech financial aid to Ukraine and guarantees for EU loans to Kyiv and has signaled dropping the Czech-led effort that sourced about 1.8 million artillery shells.
  • The cabinet platform challenges core EU initiatives and aligns ANO and Motorists with the Patriots for Europe grouping, with Babiš courting like-minded partners such as Hungary and Slovakia.
  • Motorists leader Petr Macinka was named foreign minister, and the party withdrew environment minister nominee Filip Turek after scandal and a police probe that the president indicated would bar his appointment.