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Andrej Babiš has held discussions with Czech President Petr Pavel and is set to consult with various party heads as he commences the complex task of forming a stable government following his ANO party won the election but failed to obtain an clear majority.

Voting Figures

Official results revealed ANO secured 34.5% of the vote from the weekend polling, equating to a tentative 80 seats in the 200-seat legislature. The center-right alliance under outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala finished second with 23.4%.

"I've committed to demonstrate the president a solution that will comply with Czech and European laws," Babiš declared prior to the negotiations commenced.

Leadership Obstacles

Despite praising the "historic result" as "the pinnacle" of his political career, Babiš encounters substantial barriers both to become prime minister and to secure and maintain support for the minority administration he has suggested.

Multiple political groups have publicly dismissed creating a partnership with ANO, forcing the billionaire to pursue support from minor right-leaning parties. "We will conduct talks with the SPD and the Motorists, and aim for a independent cabinet under ANO," he declared.

Governing Agenda

Babiš, ranked as the nation's seventh wealthiest individual with an approximate fortune of $3.9 billion, ran on vows for quickened expansion, increased salaries and retirement benefits and lower taxes. He also committed to challenge the EU's immigration agreement and green deal, and to discontinue the shells-for-Ukraine initiative, instead supporting Kyiv exclusively through EU channels.

Possible Partners

Babiš's movement holds some common ground with the far-right SPD, which likewise resists EU climate and immigration policies – as does the smaller rightwing Motorists party.

The more radical pro-Russian, anti-defense pact, anti-bloc SPD also campaigned on a "Czech exit" pledge to leave Czechia from the organization, which Babiš has categorically rejected. He has consistently maintained his party is "pro-EU, and pro-alliance".

Discussion Scenarios

The Drivers faction and the SPD have expressed openness to discussions with ANO, but it is still unclear how far these factions will prefer to support a Babiš-led minority cabinet instead of pursuing a official partnership treaty – or which timeframe such backing could last.

Election experts commented that the SPD's vote share was significantly lower than the anticipated percentage ahead of polling, meaning its bargaining power in discussions about confidence-and-supply deal would not be as strong as previously imagined.

Presidential Prerogatives

Even when Babiš is ultimately capable to demonstrate to the head of state – who beat Babiš in recent head of state voting – with a inter-party understanding representing a legislative control in parliament, his challenges could continue.

The head of state announced prior to voting that he would not appoint any ministers who advocated leaving from the EU or from Nato. He has also mentioned he was taking advice from lawyers regarding a conceivable integrity issue related to Babiš.

European Context

European far-right leaders including the Hungarian prime minister, who declared digitally that "Facts have triumphed!", and the French nationalist, who said "sovereignty movements" were being "summoned to govern throughout the continent", have praised the victory.

Nevertheless, while ANO is part of the conservative EU legislature faction and Babiš has described himself as an supporter of the Hungarian leader, the EU's disruptor-in-chief, it is uncertain to what extent he will align himself with the Eurosceptic movement.

Expert Opinions

Policy observers say Babiš's politics are more pragmatic than ideological and that he is improbable to start a serious fight with Brussels as long as the Czechia depends on bloc support and the leader's companies continue to profit from the union.

Czech institutions are also likely to constrain the billionaire at home, with drastic alterations likely to be hindered by the legislative chamber, which can reject any suggested polling regulation or basic statute modifications and must validate court nominations appointed to the highest legal authority.