Czech Republic: what lies ahead with Babiš as PM?
Just over two months after the Czech parliamentary elections, the winner, multi-billionaire Andrej Babiš, has been appointed prime minister by President Petr Pavel. What this means for the country's foreign policy and the EU is a hot topic among commentators.
Horror scenario looming
La Repubblica is pessimistic:
“Babiš will now join the duo of unwavering Eastern European Putin supporters – Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico – who are blocking European aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are openly seeking to restore three-quarters of the Visegrád coalition and threatening to sabotage all European mechanisms. ... As for the fourth Visegrád partner, many believe it's just a matter of time. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk is unable to implement many of his promises because they are being blocked by populist President Karol Nawrocki. ... Many fear that the PiS sovereignists could return to power in two years' time. A horror scenario for the EU.”
Hopefully it won't go beyond grumbling
Hospodářské noviny expresses one hope as the new political phase begins:
“The hope that Babiš's government finally gives up its plans to turn the Czech Republic into a troublemaker within the EU, emulating Viktor Orbán's Hungary. In other words, the hope that protests against individual European measures or anti-Russian sanctions are confined to grumbling by the Czech people. And that Babiš will act rationally at the European level.”
Don't write him off yet
We should not brand Babiš as anti-European prematurely, says FAZ:
“Essentially, Babiš has always been a pragmatist, with no ideologies, who was well aware that not only are the interests of his multi-billion Agrofert conglomerate tied to the West, but also those of his country. During his election campaign, although he exploited discontent about aid for Ukraine and continued to fan the flames, he left no doubt as to his distance from Moscow. At the end of the day, Babiš has always focused on his own interests, which is why it is far from certain that he will now only sing Orbán's tune. In Berlin, we should reach out to this neighbour (incidentally, a fluent German speaker) rather than write him off too hastily.”