'Out for himself' Czechs divided over 'Trumpist' former PM's likely return

He is a no-nonsense workaholic with famously unpolished manners; a billionaire, ex-communist former prime minister who calls himself "Trumpist", admires Viktor Orbán and has spent his political career fighting conflict of interest claims.

- Jon Henley

Babiš with Donald Trump in the Oval Office in 2019. The Czech former prime minister has described himself as a 'Trumpist'

(EVAN VUCCI/AP)

After four years in opposition, Andrej Babiš, 71, the Czech Republic's seventh richest man with a net worth estimated by Forbes at $3.9bn (£2.9bn), is eyeing a triumphant comeback. His Action of Dissatisfied Citizens party (Ano, or Yes in Czech) is 10 points clear in the polls, its prospective vote share topping 30%.

"I want to restore the management of the state to normal," Babiš, a polarising leader whose previous premiership from 2017 to 2021 drew mass protests, said recently. "People knew we got results. We managed the country like a company."

However, critics worry where his catchall, populist promises may take him, and whether, like the US president whose style (if not policies) he so admires, his second term may make his first look tame.

Voters will head to the polls today and tomorrow. In the days before the election - which the outgoing centre-right prime minister, Petr Fiala, has warned could determine whether the Czech Republic "remains firmly part of the west, or drifts off towards the east" - some were sure the worst was yet to come.

"It certainly looks like he's going to win. We only hope he won't be able to form a government," said Venuše Rýdl, 68, a voter in the Prague suburb of Modřany, who was unpersuaded by Babiš's promises to cut taxes, cap energy prices and lower the pension age.

Her husband, Rudolf, 70, agreed. "We don't believe Babiš, and we don't trust him," he said. "He's a populist and he's out for himself.

He showed it last time he was in government - why would this time be different? He would be bad for the country."