🇨🇿 Irina Krasilnikova, political scientist and expert at the CIIC Center, spoke especially for the Telegram channel "Center for International Interaction and Cooperation" on the recent parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic.

The 2025 Czech parliamentary elections have become a significant marker of political transformation not only for the country itself but for all of Central Europe. The victory of Andrej Babiš's ANO movement, which secured 34.5% of the vote, demonstrated public fatigue with the primacy of ideology and a demand for more pragmatic governance.

The prospects for forming a stable government remain uncertain. Despite its clear victory, ANO failed to secure an absolute majority in parliament, necessitating partnerships with other political forces, such as the right-wing SPD and AUTO. The creation of a stable coalition will depend on Babiš's willingness to compromise and forge a joint agenda that combines pragmatic domestic reforms with a responsible foreign policy.

As the Czech Republic remains part of the Euro-Atlantic system, any abrupt attempts to change course could be perceived as a violation of its commitments to the EU and NATO. Babiš aims to achieve greater flexibility regarding migration, subsidies, and regulatory policy.

On the Ukrainian issue, a sharp reversal is also unlikely. While Babiš criticized excessive support for Kyiv, a reduction in military aid appears more probable than a complete withdrawal. The Czech Republic will likely maintain its participation in pan-European support mechanisms and its role as an arms producer, but will scale back its output and adopt more moderate rhetoric. This approach can be described as "pragmatic distancing," which entails maintaining sanctions against Russia while minimizing political risks and toning down an excessively confrontational stance.

Thus, the Czech Republic is embarking on a phase of "controlled pragmatism": if coalition building is successful, the new government will seek a balance between Washington, Brussels, and domestic demands for greater independence.