00:00It's the final day of voting in the Czech Republic's parliamentary elections and its high stakes
00:06as voters were deciding whether their country should take a more pro-Russian path.
00:12Billionaire Andrei BabiÅ” is predicted to be the latest populist leader in Central Europe to stage an electoral comeback.
00:20Polls based on partial results show him beating the pro-Western coalition led by the current prime minister.
00:26Should BabiÅ” win, it's likely that the Czech Republic will dial back its support of Ukraine.
00:32He has questioned the need to supply Kyiv with weapons as well as ramping up defense spending for NATO.
00:39For more on this, we can cross to Prague and speak with France 24's Ian Willoughby.
00:46Ian, Andrei BabiÅ”'s ANO party is now being projected to win those parliamentary elections but maybe falls short of a majority.
00:55What more can you tell us about how the vote has been going?
01:01Well, so far the party of billionaire businessman Andrei BabiÅ” is indeed way out in front in the elections.
01:08As expected, all indications are that ANO will finish first on 30% or more of the vote.
01:15Indeed, some new sites are already declaring victory for Mr. BabiÅ”'s party.
01:19So, if anything, interest here is turning to the results of smaller parties who could be potential coalition partners of Andrei BabiÅ”.
01:30Their parties on the right and far right of the Czech political spectrum.
01:35Now, Ian, since it does appear that he will be the next prime minister, what does a BabiÅ” win mean for the Czech Republic?
01:44And also, more importantly, its ties to Ukraine and the EU?
01:51Well, many people believe that a nano government would spell a significant change in the Czech Republic's political orientation internationally.
01:59Some say that a nano government could lead to Czechia following in the footsteps, to some degree at least, of Hungary and Slovakia in essentially turning away from Europe.
02:14And critics say following a pro-Russian direction.
02:17As regards Ukraine, Mr. BabiÅ” definitely would take a less supportive role on Ukraine than the current Czech government.
02:28He's all about what he calls Czech Republic first.
02:31But ultimately, what happens will depend on what kind of government, what kind of coalition Mr. BabiÅ” could form here.
02:38For example, one potential coalition partner are a party called Freedom and Direct Democracy, who are a far-right party, and they are for a referendum on Czechs remaining in the European Union, so-called Czechsit.
02:52But there's also one other very interesting question here, and that's what's likely to happen after the dust settles on the results.
02:59And the question is whether Mr. BabiÅ” himself would be able to personally head a new Czech government, because he would be required by law to sell his huge business concerns.
03:10He doesn't seem minded to do that, and that would leave him in potential, or would leave him simply in conflict of interest.
03:18In any case, it should be clear in the next short period what parties at least will be able to form a coalition government here in Czechia.
03:27But all will be clear in the next hour or two, I believe.
03:30Ian, thank you so much for that update.
03:33That's France 24's Ian Willoughby reporting in Prague.
Be the first to comment