### Babiš's Political Comeback: A Shift in Czech Governance - On December 9, 2025, Andrej Babiš, a billionaire and leader of the populist ANO party, was sworn in as the new prime minister of the Czech Republic, marking his return to power after previously serving from 2017 to 2021. His party won a significant victory in the October parliamentary elections, leading to the formation of a coalition government with two smaller parties, securing a total of 108 seats in the 200-seat lower house. This coalition is expected to pivot the Czech Republic away from its current support for Ukraine and European Union environmental policies, reflecting Babiš's populist and nationalist agenda. Notably, Babiš has committed to placing his major business interests in a trust to mitigate potential conflicts of interest, a move that has been a point of contention in his political career [https://apnews.com/article/czech-babis-new-prime-minister-e4b5630dbc9cd761d7f4cda451626b8d][https://gulfnews.com/world/europe/billionaire-trump-fan-babis-returns-to-power-as-czech-prime-minister-2-1.500373886]. ### Structure of Babiš's New Government and Policies 1. **Coalition Formation**: - Babiš's ANO party formed a coalition with two smaller parties, allowing them to control a majority in the lower house of Parliament [https://caliber.az/en/post/babiš-sworn-as-czech-pm-launching-new-coalition-government]. 2. **Policy Direction**: - The new government is anticipated to shift Czech foreign policy, particularly regarding support for Ukraine and adherence to EU environmental regulations [https://brusselsmorning.com/andrej-babis-returns-to-power-as-new-czech-prime-minister/84811]. 3. **Conflict of Interest Resolution**: - Babiš has agreed to place his business interests in a trust to address ongoing concerns about conflicts of interest, a significant issue during his previous tenure [https://985theriver.com/2025/12/09/czech-president-appoints-andrej-babis-as-new-prime-minister-2]. ### Evidence of Political and Economic Context - **Election Results**: - Babiš's party, ANO, won a decisive victory in the October elections, which set the stage for his return to power [https://www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/9130488/czech-populist-billionaire-babis-sworn-in-as-new-pm]. - **Public Sentiment**: - Babiš's populist approach resonates with a segment of the Czech population that favors national sovereignty over EU influence, reflecting a broader trend in European politics [https://www.anews.com.tr/europe/2025/12/09/czech-president-pavel-appoints-andrej-babis-as-prime-minister-for-3rd-time]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Babiš's Leadership - **Political Landscape**: - Babiš's return signifies a potential shift in the Czech Republic's political landscape, with implications for its relationship with the EU and its stance on international issues. 1. **Coalition Strength**: The coalition's majority may enable Babiš to implement his agenda effectively. 2. **Policy Changes**: A move away from EU policies could alter the Czech Republic's international standing. 3. **Business Interests**: The establishment of a trust for Babiš's businesses may alleviate some concerns but will require ongoing scrutiny. In summary, Babiš's swearing-in as prime minister marks a pivotal moment for Czech politics, with significant implications for both domestic and international policy [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/czech-populist-babis-to-become-prime-minister-next-week][https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/pavel-to-appoint-babis-as-pm-after-resolution-of-agrofert-conflict].