Czech Elections May Shift Nation Away From Ukraine Support (Worthy News Radio)

Key Facts

Published: October 5, 2025 Location: Prague Source: Original Reporting from Worthy News, with additional information from Wire Services

• Early polls suggest billionaire Andrej Babiš, often compared to Donald Trump, may stage a political comeback against Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
• A Babiš victory would strengthen ties with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico, both critical of EU sanctions and Western arms to Ukraine.
• Thousands protested in Prague against Babiš’s populist ANO party, warning of rising Russian influence and populism.
• President Petr Pavel urged any future government to remain anchored in the EU and NATO, calling Western alignment key to Czech security.

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

PRAGUE (Worthy News) – Czechs have voted in a two-day general election that could steer the country away from supporting Ukraine and closer to the policies of Hungary and Slovakia, threatening to deepen divisions within the European Union and NATO.

Early polls suggest billionaire Andrej Babiš, often compared to former U.S. President Donald Trump, is on track for a political comeback.

His main challenger is current Prime Minister Petr Fiala, the leader of the center-right Civic Democratic Party (ODS).

A victory for Babiš would be seen as a boost for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Both men have refused to provide military aid to Ukraine despite Russia’s full-scale invasion and continue to rely on Russian oil and gas imports while opposing EU sanctions on Moscow.

Last year, Babiš and Orbán co-founded Patriots for Europe, a nationalist bloc in the European Parliament, marking a break with the more liberal Renew group.

Though denying he is pro-Russian, Babiš questioned Prague’s initiative to secure artillery shells for Ukraine from abroad and stopped short of backing NATO’s target for increased defense spending.

DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST BABIŠ

In recent days, thousands of demonstrators rallied in Prague’s Old Town Square against Babiš’s ANO — or Yes — party, waving Czech, EU, and Ukrainian flags. Protesters warned about the rise of populism and pro-Russian influence.

Czech President Petr Pavel also sent a warning, stressing he would not back pro-Russian ministers. After casting his ballot near Prague, Pavel said he expected any future government to remain firmly anchored in the West.

“Our position within the EU and NATO is the strongest guarantee that our country will remain secure and prosperous,” he explained. “He was very clear that he doesn’t intend to support any referendum on leaving the EU. He will support our strong commitment to NATO. And I hope that this will be a strong foundation of his future government if he wins.”

Babiš has been one of the most divisive figures in Czech politics since entering parliament in 2013. A former Communist Party member before the 1989 Velvet Revolution, he now faces fraud charges linked to European Union subsidies.

Yet scandals have not eroded his base. Many of his supporters see him as defending “ordinary Czechs” from EU diktats, soaring energy costs, and migration pressures.

Analysts warn that if Babiš is to form a stable coalition, he may have to work with openly pro-Russian parties.

The coming weeks will determine which direction the Czech Republic takes — a choice closely monitored in both Brussels and Moscow.

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