Politics
Orbán vows to fight EU from opposition after election defeat
Former Hungarian prime minister appears in Brussels insisting his political project continues despite losing power, as new government prepares to reclaim billions in frozen funds.
Person
Andrej Babiš
Leader of ANO party and former prime minister, ANO
What we have reported
- Cited by Orbán as the sole Patriots for Europe representative in the European Council.
- Identified as a potential successor to Orban's veto-wielding position in the European Council.
- Returned as Czech prime minister after his party finished first in the October 2025 parliamentary election, four years after leaving office amid conflict-of-interest scandals and mass protests.
Coverage
Politics
Hungary election tests EU ability to bypass Orban vetoes
Viktor Orban's 16-year grip on power faces its strongest challenge on 12 April, with the opposition Tisza party leading polls by ten points. The result will shape whether the EU can move past unanimous voting gridlock on Ukraine, defence and migration.
Politics
Central Europe's populist resurgence offers warning to US Democrats
Electoral comebacks in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland show defeated right-wing forces can return quickly when centrist governments fail to address economic displacement.
Politics
Czech coalition plan to scrap licence fees puts public media independence at risk
ANO's deal with two far-right parties proposes replacing Czech Television and Czech Radio's licence-fee funding with direct state financing, a move critics say mirrors the playbook used by Orban and Fico to capture public broadcasters.
Politics
Czech election returns Babis to power as voters punish incumbent government
Andrej Babis's ANO movement won the 3-4 October parliamentary vote, ending Petr Fiala's centre-right coalition after one term dominated by inflation and energy costs.
Politics
Babiš begins coalition talks after ANO wins Czech election without majority
The billionaire's party took 34.5% and 80 seats but needs support from two right-wing fringe parties to govern, while President Pavel signals he will not appoint a cabinet before November.
Politics
Babiš wins Czech election but faces long road to government
ANO took 35 percent of the vote, a record for a single party, yet every other parliamentary force has ruled out coalition talks, leaving the president and a fraud verdict as decisive factors.
Politics
Andrej Babis wins Czech election with 34.7% as voters punish outgoing coalition
The billionaire former prime minister's ANO party topped Saturday's parliamentary vote, putting him in position to form a government that has pledged to halt military aid to Ukraine and review Czech artillery supplies.
Politics
Czech election pits billionaire Babiš against fractured centre-right
Andrej Babiš's ANO party leads polls at 29 percent as Czechs vote Friday and Saturday, but coalition arithmetic and a pending fraud verdict complicate his path back to power.
Politics
Czech election tests EU unity as Babiš leads polls
Andrej Babiš's ANO party leads polls before the October vote, raising the prospect of a Eurosceptic coalition that could align Prague with Budapest and Bratislava on migration, climate policy and aid to Ukraine.
Politics
Far-right leaders rally in France to mark European election gains
Marine Le Pen, Viktor Orbán and allies gathered south of Paris to claim momentum one year after their strongest European Parliament showing, while Le Pen's legal appeal clouds her 2027 presidential prospects.
Politics
Czech PM accuses election rival Babiš of aiding Putin as polls show 16-point lead
Petr Fiala says the ANO leader's opposition to the Czech ammunition initiative and defence spending effectively helps Moscow, while STEM polling puts Babiš on 33 percent against the governing coalition's 17 percent.
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