Orban congratulates Czech election winner

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has congratulated his incoming Czech counterpart Andrej Babis on his election victory, lauding his win as “good news” for the whole of Europe.

Orban is the first foreign leader to acknowledge the victory of the agricultural tycoon, branded the ‘Czech Trump’ by local media, shortly after the preliminary results of the Czech general election were announced late on Saturday.

The ANO movement, a right-wing party led by Babis, came out on top, scoring about 35% of the parliamentary vote.

“Truth has prevailed! Andrej Babis has won the Czech parliamentary elections with a convincing lead. A big step for the Czech Republic, good news for Europe. Congratulations, Andrej!” Orban wrote on X, sharing his photo with the Czech politician.

The remarks echoed Babis’ victory speech, during which he yet again denied longstanding accusations of holding an anti-EU stance, claiming he actually wants to “save” the bloc. While Babis signaled his intention to form a one-party cabinet, ANO failed to achieve a majority, and coalition talks now lie ahead.

READ MORE: Pro-EU Czech PM concedes election defeat

The likely coalition partners for the party are two minor political forces, namely the far-right anti-EU and anti-NATO SPD, and the Motorists party, which opposes Brussels’ environmental policies. The parties scored nearly 8% and 7% of the vote, respectively.

Babis has consistently criticized the EU’s handling of immigration and the environment, and strongly opposed Ukraine’s aspirations to join the bloc. During his campaign, he pledged to end the so-called ‘Czech initiative’ project, set up to supply ammunition to Kiev, arguing the scheme is grossly overpriced.

He has also promised to cut aid for Ukraine and end austerity measures, increasing domestic spending instead.