Prague: Former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has launched an ambitious campaign platform ahead of next month’s parliamentary elections, pledging cheaper energy, tax cuts, and a reversal of pension reforms. With his ANO party polling more than ten points ahead of the ruling centre-right coalition, Babiš is positioning himself as the frontrunner to return to power after four years in opposition.
At the heart of Babiš’s electoral promise is energy affordability. He has vowed to halt any new “green” taxes and ensure low household energy costs by moving toward full nationalization of CEZ, the country’s dominant power utility. Currently, the Czech state owns around 70% of the company, but Babiš argues that complete control would give the government the tools to shield consumers from volatile market prices. He has also pledged to resist European Union carbon levies, casting them as unfair burdens on Czech citizens and industries.
Another key plank in Babiš’s platform is rolling back the government’s pension changes, which are designed to gradually raise the retirement age from 65 to 67. He insists that the retirement cap should remain at 65, a move that has resonated strongly with older voters who fear working longer into old age. Critics, however, warn that reversing these reforms will strain public finances and increase long-term pension liabilities.
Babiš has also promised sweeping tax relief, including lowering the corporate tax rate from 21% to 19% and reducing VAT for the hospitality sector. He has proposed increasing personal deductions to ease pressure on households and scrapping mandatory public broadcasting fees. To underscore his populist message, Babiš also announced plans to freeze the salaries of politicians, claiming that the political elite should “share the sacrifices of ordinary citizens.”
While these pledges have energized his base, economists have expressed concern about their fiscal sustainability. The outgoing government, led by the SPOLU coalition, has succeeded in reducing the national deficit from 5% of GDP in 2021 to just 1.9% this year. Analysts warn that Babiš’s costly promises could reverse this progress and plunge the country back into heavy debt. Supporters, however, argue that the reforms would stimulate growth and improve tax collection, offsetting potential budget risks.
Despite ANO’s commanding lead in opinion polls, forming a stable government may prove challenging. If Babiš falls short of a majority, he may be forced to rely on alliances with far-right or anti-establishment parties. Such coalitions could pull Prague closer to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and raise questions about Czech support for EU policies, including sanctions on Russia and military assistance to Ukraine. Babiš has already signaled his alignment with populist movements in Europe, distancing himself from his earlier centrist image.
The October 3–4 elections are shaping up as a decisive test for the Czech Republic’s political future. For Babis, they represent a chance to stage a dramatic comeback after losing power in 2021. His campaign blends promise of economic relief with populist critiques of EU environmental and security policies. Whether voters see his pledges as a roadmap to stability or a risky populist gamble will determine not only the country’s next government, but also its role within the European Union.