Election Loss and President’s Failing Health Weaken Czech PM’s Grip on Power

Nonetheless, President Milos Zeman, who wields the constitutional authority to appoint governments, invited the populist Babis - with whom he has a longstanding power pact - to meet on Sunday. Zeman had said during the summer that he would nominate the leader of the "party" that won the most votes, claiming that the election coalitions - SPOLU and its liberal counterpart comprising the Pirates and Mayors parties - are a "fraud".

"When the president entrusts me, I will contact the SPOLU coalition and negotiate with them," Babis said as the final votes were being counted, adding that he expects negotiations to start on Wednesday.

However, even before the end of Saturday, SPOLU announced it had concluded a memorandum with the Pirates and Mayors, which won 15.5 per cent, to form a governing coalition.

The two coalitions, which have been cooperating throughout the campaign under the banner of the "Democratic Bloc", will control at least 108 of the 200 seats in parliament.

Petr Fiala, leader of SPOLU, said that the parties have agreed to negotiate only among themselves, ruling out talks with any other parties. The alliance called on Zeman to appoint Fiala as prime minister.

Czech President Milos Zeman arrives on a stretcher at the Central Military Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic, 10 October 2021. EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK Vulnerable

Zeman has long hoped to exploit Babis's weakness to gain access to the levers of power. As part of his populist agenda, he seeks to push Czechia closer to Russia and China, and weaken its Western foreign policy orientation.

Meanwhile, Babis is desperate to remain in office. He has multiple scandals hanging over him, including potential criminal charges relating to his...