Populist and Eurosceptic tycoon Andrej Babis reappointed as Czech Prime Minister | International

Populist tycoon Andrej Babis, 71, leader of the liberal ANO party, is once again Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. The one known as Czech Trumpwon the October legislative elections and has the support of two Eurosceptic and extremist parties to form a government. The Czech president, the pro-European and pro-Atlantic former general Petr Pavel, demanded that the millionaire divest himself of his agricultural businesses in order to appoint him head of government without incurring conflicts of interest. Finally, Babis was named Prime Minister this Tuesday during an event organized at Prague Castle, seat of the Czech presidency, and broadcast live on television.

“I promise all citizens that I will fight for their interests, not only at home, but all over the world,” Babis said after receiving the nomination from the head of state. Pavel hopes that, within 30 days, Babis will carry out his plan to completely separate from holding agro-industrial company Agrofert, with transfer to an independent fund. The model is similar to that which British Prime Ministers Tony Blair, David Cameron and Theresa May have applied in the past with their investments.

The head of state asked Babis to rely on ties with the European Union (EU) and NATO to face in a “constructive” manner the challenges facing the country in the midst of “a complex economic and security context.” Pavel announced that on December 15 he would appoint the members of the Council of Ministers proposed by the new head of government. From today, the Executive will take office and take over from the outgoing center-right coalition, led for four years by the conservative Petr Fiala.

Industrial engineer Babis also announced that on January 13 he would request a vote of confidence in the Lower House, where he obtained 108 votes out of a total of 200, to ratify the government program. The millionaire Trump intends to undertake a change in foreign policy, moving closer to the Eurosceptic positions of the Hungarian Viktor Orbán and the Slovak Robert Fico.

Czech analysts believe that Babis, whom they view as pragmatic – and whose companies receive large EU subsidies – will ultimately not pose as many problems for Brussels as Orbán. They believe that even if he criticizes the EU in his country and proposes in his electoral program to review the European Green Deal and the agreement on migration, at the table of the European Council, he will show more restraint than the Hungarian.

In any case, Orbán awaits it with open arms. The ultra-conservative Prime Minister wrote in

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also welcomed him to this social network: “Your country has an important role to play in advancing our European agenda of prosperity and security. We look forward to working with you, starting with the next European Council,” she said. The last thing Brussels needs is another ultra leader trying to undermine the EU from within.

During this meeting, the heads of state and government of the Twenty-Seven will discuss, among other issues, support for Ukraine and security in Europe. The meeting will take place days after the United States published its new national security strategy, in which it openly attacks Europe. Babis is an avowed Trumpist and has promised to end his country’s military aid to Ukraine, until now one of kyiv’s most committed.

It remains to be seen whether his pragmatic side will prevail or whether he will align himself with his populist neighbors, eager to take over the Visegrad Group – made up of Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland – but with the predictable absence of Warsaw. Polish Prime Minister, liberal Donald Tusk, is deeply critical of Orbán and ultra-conservative President Karol Nawrocki – ideologically close to the Hungarian leader – does not tolerate his proximity to Moscow.

The new Czech Prime Minister will have to please, in addition to his most extremist voters, his two government partners, far-right and anti-ecologist parties who oppose many European policies. The ANO’s electoral program already provided for the revision of the European Green Deal, the revocation of many of its measures, as well as the questioning of certain declarations of the migration pact.

On these issues and others, such as the refusal of military aid to Ukraine, he is in unison with his coalition partners, the ultra-Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and Motoristé sobe (United Motorists), who oppose any measure reducing polluting emissions or limiting car use. Babis hopes for your support in the face of an investigation into misuse of community funds if Parliament lifts his immunity, as requested by Czech justice.

In Brussels, the head of government – ​​who was already prime minister between 2017 and 2021 and was ousted due to his problems with the law – joined the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group, one of the three ultra groups in the European Parliament. Promoted by Fidesz, Orbán’s party, the Patriots also include Marine Le Pen’s National Regroupment; Matteo Salvini’s League; or the Spanish Vox.