Andrej Babiš looks on course to become the Czech prime minister again as votes are counted following the country’s general election on Friday and Saturday.

Partial results released on Saturday afternoon put Babiš’s ANO party on 37% ahead of the Spolu governing coalition on 21.5% with ballots in almost 75% of the voting precincts counted. The full result is expected to be known on Sunday.

The election has been cast as choice between East and West for Czech voters.

It comes against a backdrop of a turbulent security situation in Europe, fears of Russian interference and intense speculation over the Czech Republic’s foreign policy orientation if ANO secures victory.

ANO and Babiš, who was prime minister between 2017-2021, will probably replace Petr Fiala’s pro-Western Spolu center-right coalition government, which has been an ardent and active supporter of Ukraine.

Babiš has expressed a more dovish stance on the Ukraine war, calling, for example, an end to an international scheme spearheaded by the Czech government that has supplied around 1.5 million artillery shells to Ukraine.

He has, however, rejected suggestions by Fiala that he intends to move the Czech Republic towards Russia and away from the West and membership of the EU and NATO, saying that he does advocate leaving either organization, and that he is not a “Russian stooge”.

If Babiš does not secure a majority he may have to look for a coalition partner, try to strike alliances or form a minority government.

Potential partners are few and some have suggested that Babiš may look for support from fringe parties such as the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party.

The prospect that a party like the SPD, which is both anti-EU and NATO, having some form of influence over the Czech government has unsettled some both in the country and Europe but Babiš has said he will not work with them.

President Petr Pavel, who has the power to appoint cabinet ministers, has also said he will refuse to appoint politicians who advocate leaving the EU and NATO.

While the make-up of any ANO government remains unclear the election result could be something of a triumph for Babiš.

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