The failed government has worsened the standard of living for the people.
There is a party that has surged to the forefront in the Czech Republic. This is the ANO movement - the party of Czech oligarch and former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who opposes aid to Ukraine (including halting arms supplies).
It is important to note that the rise of ANO is primarily explained by economic problems. Among the unpopular steps taken by the government of current Prime Minister Fiala is the cancellation of pension indexation as part of budget deficit reduction. This, in turn, hit the largest group of voters and cost the ruling coalition the support of the majority of pensioners. At the same time, according to opinion polls, Babiš will not be able to gain a majority, despite his desire to do so.
It is important to note that the rise of ANO is primarily explained by economic problems. Among the unpopular steps taken by the government of current Prime Minister Fiala is the cancellation of pension indexation as part of budget deficit reduction. This, in turn, hit the largest group of voters and cost the ruling coalition the support of the majority of pensioners.
At the same time, according to opinion polls, Babiš will not be able to gain a majority, despite his desire to do so. "It is about where the Czech Republic will move. Will we remain a strong democracy, with full freedom, with prosperity, a country that is firmly part of the West... or are we drifting somewhere to the East," he explained to Czech voters.
Moreover, the Czech information space has been flooded with Russian disinformation. According to an investigation by Voxpot, the number of pro-Russian fake materials in the Czech Republic reaches up to 5,000 per month. The goal of Russian disinformation is not to support a specific candidate, but to undermine the Czech Republic as a whole: discrediting elections and even democracy itself.
However, there is still a small chance that Babiš may not become Prime Minister, said Serhiy Gerasymchuk, Deputy Executive Director of the Council for Foreign Policy "Ukrainian Prism" in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
"We have two new players – the AUTO movement and Stačilo! If they enter parliament, then, purely arithmetically, together with the current coalition, they have a chance to gain a minimal majority in parliament. This is one of the options, but polls have been wrong more than once," he explained.
Despite differences in political courses, these parties may unite for one goal – to prevent Babiš from returning to power.
It cannot be ruled out that Czech President Petr Pavel may refuse to entrust Babiš with the formation of a new government, even if he wins. One reason is the conflict of interest due to the agrochemical holding Agrofert of the former Prime Minister. If Babiš holds the position of Prime Minister, he may influence the distribution of state and European subsidies and grants.
But the main scenario to prepare for is a coalition of ANO with SPD. And although this will not warm relations with Ukraine, according to Gerasymchuk, it is too early to talk about a turn of the Czech Republic.
