‘Trumpist’ billionaire Babis returns to power as Czech PM, amid fraud trial and EU concerns
His return raises concerns that his Eurosceptic coalition could restrict aid to Ukraine
Andrej Babis, a billionaire supporter of US President Donald Trump, returned to power as Czech prime minister on Tuesday, signalling a possible end to Ukraine aid and potentially rockier ties with the European Union.
Babis’s ANO movement, which won the October parliamentary elections, teamed up with two Eurosceptic parties to form a coalition government.
In its policy statement, the coalition said the EU had “its limits” and no right to impose decisions infringing on the sovereignty of member states.
In his campaign, Babis has also vowed to curb aid to Ukraine, battling a Russian invasion since 2022. The outgoing centre-right government gave humanitarian and military aid.
President Petr Pavel appointed the 71-year-old, who governed the EU and Nato member of 10.9 million people from 2017 to 2021.
“I promise all citizens of the Czech Republic to fight for their interests at home and abroad,” said Babis, who has described himself as “Trumpist” in the past.