‘Czech Trump’ hits a high

PRAGUE:With voters upset over traditional parties and orders from Brussels, billionaire populist Andrej Babis, dubbed the “Czech Trump”, has scored a thumping victory in the Czech Republic's election, giving the anti-establishment businessman facing fraud charges a strong mandate to cut taxes, lift public investment and fight immigration.

Andrej Babis, leader of ANO party, speaks during a news conference in Prague on Saturday. Reuters

Prague, October 21

With voters upset over traditional parties and orders from Brussels, billionaire populist Andrej Babis, dubbed the “Czech Trump”, has scored a thumping victory in the Czech Republic's election, giving the anti-establishment businessman facing fraud charges a strong mandate to cut taxes, lift public investment and fight immigration.

Babis’ ANO movement held an unbeatable 30.04 per cent of the vote with 94.4 per cent of voting stations having reported — almost three times any other party and giving it a chance to rule with just one partner in a coalition.

ANO is the first party to break a quarter century of dominance by two mainstream centre-right and centre-left parties, highlighting a shifting political landscape in Europe where a refugee crisis has given rise to protest groups.

At just 7.4 per cent, the ruling Social Democrats of Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka were on course for their worst result since the country peacefully split with Slovakia in 1993.

The far-right, anti-European Union SPD party made strong gains, capturing more than 10 per cent of the vote, while another protest party, the Pirates, was set to win a number of seat by appealing to unhappy liberal voters. In all, a record nine parties were set to win seats.

The Czech economy has enjoyed rapid growth, a balanced budget and the lowest unemployment in the EU in the past four years, but the Social Democrats — who led a government with ANO and another partner — have not been able to capitalise.

Despite the country’s economic success, analysts say many Czechs who are heavily in debt or working long hours for low wages feel they have been left behind and are turning to populist parties to vent their ire. — Agencies

Babis cashes in on voters’ discontent

Billionaire Andrej Babis’ ANO took advantage of voters' discontent by promising to weed out corruption, fight deeper EU integration and resist Brussels trying to impose quotas for taking in refugees
Drawing comparisons with US President Donald Trump for his anti-establishment message, Babis has maintained his popularity despite the charges and accusations of conflicts of interest related to his businesses