Danube Institute Podcast Babiš Is Back - Czechia and the Future of the V4 | Danube Politics
Oct 8, 2025
Peter Sztitas, a Senior Fellow at the Danube Institute, and Hugo Martin, a Visiting Fellow specializing in Czech politics, dive into the recent political upheaval in Central Europe. They analyze Andrej Babiš's comeback and his potential coalition challenges. Comparisons to Trump unveil intriguing insights into populism's resurgence amid failed technocracy. The duo unpacks seat dynamics and the strategic 'Donut' voter appeal while discussing Babiš's views on Ukraine and V4 relations, suggesting a solidified nationalist front in Brussels.
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Central Europe As A Populist Power Bloc
- Central Europe is becoming a core bloc of nationalist-populism within the EU, led by figures like Orbán, Fico and Babiš.
- That bloc can act as an effective counterweight to Brussels' centralizing tendencies.
Babiš's Campaign Focused On Domestic Bread-And-Butter
- Babiš returned to power by campaigning on domestic economic pain points rather than foreign policy grandstanding.
- He positioned himself as a technocratic manager promising cheaper energy, tax cuts and targeted social measures.
The Stork's Nest Case And A Reversed Acquittal
- Hugo Martin recounts that Babiš was acquitted in the Stork's Nest EU subsidy case in 2023 but the acquittal was overturned in June 2025.
- The revived legal attacks failed to stop his electoral comeback.