"Czechs have begun voting in an election likely to oust their centre-right government, with polls favouring the populist billionaire Andrej Babis to return to power on pledges to raise wages and improve growth while reducing aid for Ukraine. The change would boost Europe's populist anti-immigration camp and could complicate consensus on climate policies in a country where no sitting government has won a second term since 1996."
"While donating less than others financially, the Czechs were among the first to provide tanks and fighting vehicles. Babis has pledged to end the ammunition project, saying it is overpriced. He wants Nato and the EU to handle Ukraine. We don't have the money here for our people. Our programme is for a better life for Czech citizens We are not in Ukraine, Babis, 71, said in a debate on Wednesday on CNN Prima News."
An election in the Czech Republic may remove the centre-right government as polls favour populist Andrej Babis. Babis promises higher wages, improved growth and cuts to aid for Ukraine. A shift toward Babis would strengthen Europe's populist, anti-immigration bloc and could hinder agreement on climate policy. The incumbent Spolu coalition lost support after inflation and one of Europe's steepest drops in real incomes following Covid and the Ukraine war. The Czech government previously provided tanks, vehicles and a global ammunition-finding initiative for Kyiv. Polls show ANO well ahead but unlikely to secure an outright majority.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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