PRAGUE - Czechs in3-4 October 2025 went to the polls again, and the results show a clear shift in the country's political structure. After all the votes were counted, it was confirmed that the ANO movement, led by Andrej Babiš, won with a clear majority. ANO won 1 940 507 votes, representing 34.50 % of all valid votes, and will occupy 80 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies. Turnout reached 68.95 % of eligible voters, making this election one of the most mobilising in modern history.
The second-place finisher was the SPOLU coalition (ODS, KDU-ČSL, TOP 09) with 1 313 346 votes, i.e., 23.40 %, and 52 seats. The third largest group - the STAN movement - won 11.23 % votes and 22 seats. The Pirates followed with 8.97 % and 18 mandates, the SPD with 7.78 % and 15 mandates, and the new party Motorists for Ourselves, which won 6.77 % and 13 mandates. The left-wing group Enough! finished just below the five percent threshold. This setback deprived the left of representation in the lower house and further deepened the shift of Czech politics towards the centre-right.
These results represent a significant shift from the 2021 elections and mark the return of ANO to the position of a dominant force in Czech politics. While the movement became the strongest party, it did not achieve the independent majority that would have required 101 votes. This means that it will have to negotiate with other entities to form a government. Already in the evening after the results were announced, Andrej Babiš said that the movement would seek a single-party ANO government with the support of the SPD and the Motorists.
"I am happy that we convinced people to go to the polls, we worked until the last minute. We will implement the programme from the first moment. We want a one-colour government of the ANO movement," Babiš said at a press conference after the vote count.
He also added that he had promised President Petr Pavel that if he was given the chance to form a government, he would present a solution to his conflict of interest in accordance with the law: "I have promised President Petr Pavel that if I have the opportunity to form a government, I will show him a solution to the conflict of interest that is in accordance with the law." He also introduced the idea that the future cabinet should "publicly account" for its activities every six months and be transparent to the public. "It will be very challenging, but we are ready," He added.
The SPOLU coalition and other opposition entities have previously announced that any cooperation with Andrej Babiš is out of the question, which complicates the question of who can provide ANO with the necessary support in the Chamber of Deputies. Both STAN and the Pirates have declared that they do not intend to be part of a government led by Babiš. The key players are thus the SPD and Motorists for Ourselves, who can provide either tolerance or active support for a minority cabinet. Representatives of these parties appeared at Babiš's campaign headquarters during election night, suggesting that the first informal negotiations have already begun. It is not yet clear what terms the potential partners will set.
The ANO victory brings not only significant political gains, but also new responsibilities. Andrej Babiš enters the post-election negotiations with the strongest mandate since he entered politics, but without the certainty that he will be able to form a stable government. Analysts agree that the current situation will test his negotiating skills and political pragmatism. Domestically, he will have to face a difficult situation - governing coalitions without a clear majority tend to be fragile and dependent on a constant balancing of the interests of smaller parties.
Foreign commentators have warned that Andrej Babiš's return to the head of Czech politics may influence the country's direction on the European stage. A more pragmatic, less confrontational policy towards Brussels is expected, but at the same time a more cautious approach to support for Ukraine. Babiš himself assured the press conference that the Czech Republic "remain a reliable partner in the EU and NATO"but he also added that he wanted "defend Czech interests harder than before".
The overall results of the 2025 elections thus mark a major turning point in Czech politics. ANO is returning to power after four years in opposition, while the previous governing coalition, SPOLU, is losing its dominant position.
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