Fault Lines Episode 511: Prague at a Crossroads: Czech Elections and Europe’s Populist Wave
Today, Martha and Andy break down the results of the Czech parliamentary elections, where voter turnout hit a record 69%. Andrej Babiš’s populist party dominated the polls but fell short of a majority, setting up months of coalition negotiations that could reshape Czechia’s political landscape. With inflation, energy costs, and living standards driving the debate, Babiš campaigned on tax cuts, re-nationalizing energy, and pushing back on Brussels, raising questions about future support for Ukraine and the EU’s climate agenda and migrant policies.
Will Babiš’s win shift Czechia’s posture toward NATO and the EU? Can Prague maintain its leadership in supporting Ukraine and countering Russian disinformation, or will a more skeptical government open space for Moscow’s influence? And as U.S. observers draw parallels between Babiš and Trump, what could this election mean for transatlantic politics and the broader populist wave sweeping Europe?
Check out these sources that helped shape our expert’s discussion:
https://www.rferl.org/a/babis-czech-election-victory-brussels-kyiv-eu/33550348.html
https://www.politico.eu/article/five-key-takeaways-from-the-czech-election/
https://x.com/AmbDanFried/status/1974536514785947896
@marthamillerdc
@AndyKeiser
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