Elections have started in the Czech Republic: according to polls, the leader is an opponent of aid to Ukraine

Parliamentary elections begin in the Czech Republic today, with former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš — who opposes aid to Ukraine — potentially returning to power.

The elections will conclude tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.

According to Politico polls, Babiš’s ANO party has 30% support, Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s bloc 19%, and the nationalist “Freedom and Direct Democracy” (SPD) party 13%.

Earlier, Babiš did not rule out an alliance with other European forces opposing support for Ukraine in the event of his victory, and he declared his readiness to withdraw from defense commitments agreed under NATO. He also criticized as corrupt the scheme under which Prague purchases ammunition for Ukraine.

Deutsche Welle highlights the main reasons behind strong support for Babiš’s party. The outlet notes that the Czech Republic has faced a shock rise in energy prices and inflation of up to 15%, which has hit the population hard — especially pensioners — despite government support measures. In addition, many Czechs are dissatisfied with infrastructure conditions and bureaucracy. As a result, discontent with the current government of Petr Fiala has reached around 70% in some polls.

The Czech Republic has also accepted a record number of Ukrainian refugees relative to its population: about 660,000 people in a country of 10.9 million. Babiš uses this fact to promote the idea that Fiala’s government cares more about Ukraine and Ukrainians than about Czechs themselves.

As reported earlier, the Czech opposition party leading ahead of the elections has demanded that arms supplies to Ukraine be halted.

According to Western media, if Babiš wins the elections, Ukraine may lose the Czech Republic as an important European ally.