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Andrej Babiš has held discussions with Czech President Petr Pavel and will conduct talks with other political leaders as he undertakes the complex task of building a durable administration following his ANO party secured victory but failed to obtain an clear majority.

Poll Outcomes

Final tallies indicated ANO secured 34.5% of the vote from the weekend polling, equating to a initial 80 seats in the 200-seat legislature. The moderate conservative bloc headed by outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala came in second with 23.4%.

"I've committed to present the president a solution that will comply with national and EU legislation," Babiš announced prior to the negotiations commenced.

Political Challenges

Despite praising the "landmark outcome" as "the pinnacle" of his governmental journey, Babiš confronts major challenges both to assume the premiership and to secure and maintain support for the minority administration he has proposed.

Three established parties have previously rejected entering a coalition with ANO, forcing the billionaire to pursue support from smaller conservative movements. "We will conduct talks with the SPD and the Motorists, and pursue a single-party government under ANO," he affirmed.

Policy Positions

The billionaire, positioned as the nation's seventh wealthiest individual with an calculated wealth of $3.9 billion, campaigned on pledges of faster growth, increased salaries and retirement benefits and reduced taxation. He also vowed to oppose the EU's immigration agreement and climate program, and to end the military aid project, instead backing Ukraine exclusively through EU channels.

Possible Partners

ANO shares certain similarities with the far-right SPD, which likewise resists EU climate and immigration policies – as does the minor conservative Motorists faction.

The more extreme Moscow-friendly, anti-defense pact, anti-EU SPD also promoted a "Czexit" commitment to exit Czechia from the organization, which Babiš has entirely refused. He has repeatedly insisted his party is "pro-EU, and pro-Nato".

Negotiation Dynamics

The Drivers faction and the SPD have expressed openness to talks with Babiš, but it is still unclear how far any group will opt to sustain a minority ANO government as opposed to attempting a official partnership treaty – or what duration such backing could last.

Government observers commented that the SPD's electoral performance was noticeably diminished than the 13% forecast prior to voting, meaning its negotiating position in discussions about parliamentary backing agreement would not be as strong as previously imagined.

Legal Framework

Even assuming Babiš is ultimately capable to present Pavel – who beat Babiš in 2023 presidential elections – with a cross-faction arrangement constituting a 101-seat majority in parliament, his difficulties might remain.

Pavel stated prior to voting that he would not name any cabinet members who promoted departure from the EU or from Nato. He has also stated he was taking advice from lawyers regarding a possible conflict of interest concerning Babiš himself.

European Context

EU populist politicians including Budapest's leader, who posted on social media that "Reality has won!", and France's Marine Le Pen, who said "nationalist groups" were being "invited to lead throughout the continent", have praised the victory.

Nevertheless, while ANO is part of the nationalist European parliamentary group and Babiš has described himself as an supporter of the Hungarian leader, the EU's disruptor-in-chief, it is uncertain to what extent he will align himself with the anti-bloc faction.

Expert Opinions

Political analysts believe Babiš's politics are more pragmatic than ideological and that he is improbable to start a significant dispute with European authorities as long as the Czechia needs EU funds and the leader's companies continue to profit from the union.

Government structures are also probable to restrict the politician nationally, with drastic alterations probable to be blocked by the upper house, which can veto any proposed electoral law or constitutional changes and must confirm judicial appointments named to the highest legal authority.