Babiš promotes anti-EU stance as party gains traction ahead of EU elections

About 35% of Czech voters would vote for the ANO party (Renew), according to a fresh poll by Median, while former Prime Minister and party Chairman Andrej Babiš becomes increasingly anti-EU.

In December, 35% of Czech voters would vote for ANO, the party that is currently in opposition, according to the poll. Ruling ODS (ECR) would come in second place with 13%, followed by Pirates (Greens/EFA) – ODS’s governing coalition partners – gaining 10.5%. The fourth place would be the far-right SPD (ID), which got 9%.

ANO party used to target the older generation but its popularity is increasing among other age groups.

“The ANO movement is the most common choice of people aged 35 and older,” Median agency said.

“Almost half of the voters in the 65+ category would vote for it. It also ranks first among all educational groups, including the university-educated,” the agency added.

ANO will be able to confirm its strength in the June elections to the European Parliament. Ahead of the elections, ANO is tightening its rhetoric towards the EU.

As Euractiv reported, Babiš blames the EU for the high energy prices that hit Czechia with the Ukraine war. He also describes the EU as an “octopus” which wants to decide who will be prime minister in EU member states by using its financial power.

ANO also questions the continuation of military aid to Ukraine. “Anything is possible. We have been supporting Ukraine for two years and it has not led to any results. It has not affected the front,” former Czech Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar (ANO) told CNN Prime News on Sunday.

ANO party is currently working on its candidacy list for the 2024 elections.

While in 2019, the ANO candidates were mostly liberal politicians, such as Dita Charanzová, the current vice-president of the European Parliament, the 2024 list will feature politicians loyal to Babiš, with former Regional Development Minister Klára Dostálová as a top candidate.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)