Czech winner Babiš vows to stand by Poland, seeks talks with Polish PM

Czech opposition leader Andrej Babiš pledged support for Poland and said he would seek talks with Prime Minister Donald Tusk after his ANO movement won the parliamentary vote.

Andrej Babiš (C), leader of the ANO (YES) movement, delivers a speech at the ANO movement election event in Prague, Czech Republic, 04 October 2025. Babiš and his ANO party are projected to win the most votes in the Czech parliamentary elections. Over eight million people were eligible to elect a new parliament on 03 and 04 October 2025.

Photo: EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK

Babiš called Poland “our closest partner” and said Prague would back Warsaw, including on its eastern border.

“If, God forbid, something happens, we will stand on Poland’s side,” he told Polish Radio, adding that the Czech Republic would “respect NATO’s Article 5.”

He said that if he becomes prime minister, he will contact Tusk to propose a meeting, with plans to discuss ETS2—the emissions system covering households and transport.

“Poles rejected ETS2, and we must do the same,” he said.

Babiš argued the Visegrad Group had worked well, but was “buried” by Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s government. While saying Poland has “overtaken” the Czech Republic in many areas, he stressed he would seek good relations with Warsaw regardless of ruling party affiliations.

With 99.70% of precincts counted on Saturday, ANO won 34.66% in elections to the Chamber of Deputies, ahead of Fiala’s SPOLU coalition on 23.28%.

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Source: PAP, Polskie Radio