Andrej Babiš, the leader of the ANO party, reiterated his desire for a single-party majority government, stating that it would enable the prompt implementation of his program without the need for coalition compromises. However, without ANO securing over 40 percent of parliamentary seats, such a scenario remains improbable, reports 24brussels.
Babiš stated, “The best thing for our country in this situation would be a majority single-party government … That would make it possible to quickly deliver on our program without any coalition compromises.” Both the ruling coalition, Spolu, and ANO have dismissed the possibility of cooperating, leaving more fringe parties as potential coalition partners.
While Babiš previously ruled out a coalition with the far-right SPD, his stance appears to be shifting as elections approach. Currently, ANO and SPD share power at the regional level in several parts of the country. On Tuesday, Babiš reaffirmed that he would not govern with the communists, despite his early administration having relied on their support.
Legal Challenges Loom Over Babiš
Babiš faces ongoing legal challenges regarding his dealings with his agriculture empire, Agrofert. He is currently awaiting a verdict from the Prague District Court concerning allegations of defrauding the EU out of €2 million to secure subsidies intended for medium-sized enterprises.
The court’s decision will revolve around whether the “Stork’s Nest” farm was strategically separated from Agrofert to create the appearance of a smaller, independent business. Absent any new evidence, the court is bound to follow the precedent set by Prague’s High Court, which in June annulled an earlier ruling that had previously acquitted Babiš of any wrongdoing.
