Czech Republic: Parliamentary elections October 20-21

Event

Czech legislative elections will be held on Friday, October 20, and Saturday, October 21. Anti-establishment figure and media mogul Andrej Babis, currently ahead in the polls, is set to become the country’s next Prime Minister. Babis, a former Finance Minister and second-richest man in the country, has run a campaign characterized by strong anti-immigration rhetoric, a pledge to develop trade with Moscow, and suggestions to strengthen the executive branch by abolishing the Senate and reducing the number of seats in the Lower House of Parliament.

His popularity has sparked fears that the Czech Republic will join neighboring Hungary and Poland in progressively shifting away from the European Union. Opponents are also concerned that Babis will have significantly more influence as Prime Minister because he owns the two most popular newspapers in the country, as well as a popular radio station and TV network.

Context

The Czech legislative elections are the latest European elections to feature an anti-establishment movement significantly challenging longstanding mainstream parties. Babis has been described as a Czech version of US President Donald Trump or former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, benefiting from increasing popular discontent and widespread exasperation against mainstream parties – often embroiled in corruption scandals.                                                                                                                             

However, Babis was removed as Finance Minister in the spring of 2017 over alleged tax crimes, and more recently formally charged with fraud related to European Union subsidies – charges he claims are politically motivated.

Presidential elections are scheduled to take place in January 2018.

Advice

Individuals in the Czech Republic are advised to keep abreast of the situation and to avoid all political rallies as a precaution.