Czech billionaire Andrej Babiš is poised to form a new government after his ANO party won 35% of the vote in the general election, signaling a major political shift in Central Europe.

Although lacking a parliamentary majority, Babiš is expected to seek coalition partners among anti-Green Deal and anti-immigration parties or form a minority government.

Analysts say his leadership could strengthen ties with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico but stress that Babiš is likely to remain pragmatic toward the EU and supportive of Ukraine.

Political experts Jiří Pehe and Dániel Hegedűs agree that Babiš, despite his populist rhetoric and alignment with Trump-style nationalism, is not anti-EU or far-right and intends to maintain Czech membership in the EU and NATO, Euro Zone has reported.

President Petr Pavel has said he will not approve any ministers who question those commitments.