What’s the best way to describe ANO’s European-level representation? A round peg in a square hole. The party led by Andrej Babiš currently sits in Renew Europe with five MEPs, with Commissioner Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, a member of Babiš party. As a result, she is even one of the biggest contributors to ANO’s annual budget. But how does this situation come about, and will ANO’s liberal allegiance stand the test of time? In this article, we dive into the murky story which proves again that politics is grey, not black and white.
ANO’s ascent in Czech and European politics
ANO, established by Babiš in 2011, quickly ascended to the pinnacle of Czech politics. Garnering 29.64 percent of votes in the 2017 parliamentary elections, it propelled Babiš to the Prime Minister’s role. ANO, translating to “YES,” promised a shift from the conventional political landscape, resonating with the Czech populace disillusioned with traditional parties. Think The Third Way in Poland.
ANO’s economic policies have often been described as centrist, focusing on fiscal responsibility and business-friendly measures, a notion many liberals can also buy into. However, what sets ANO apart from other centrist parties is the leadership of Babiš, a charismatic figure whose approach to politics raises serious questions about his commitment to liberal values.
The liberal-illiberal dichotomy of Andrej Babiš’s leadership
The liberal paradox within ANO stems from the divergence between its economic policies and the increasingly illiberal tendencies exhibited by Babiš himself. His ownership of multiple news outlets, coupled with his significant wealth and political stance, has stirred concerns about media independence in a liberal democracy, reflecting a divergence from EU liberal values.
In his economic policies, Babiš showcased his liberal side, investing heavily in e-government services, such as the introduction of electronic IDs. Despite occasional critiques of EU institutions and allegations regarding his Agrofert conglomerate’s use of EU subsidies, Babiš has not been found guilty by the courts. Babiš rarely voted against the majority in the EU Council, unlike Orbán. He also expressed public support for the 2020 Belarussian protests and advocated for a stronger green commitment at the COP26 summit in Glasgow. Though opponents of Babiš depict him as a Russia enthusiast with his presidential campaign stating that he’s “ a diplomat, not a soldier” and advocating for “peace”, he does not question Ukraine’s support so fundamentally as. Orbán and his Fidesz party does.
ANO’s future in European politics: liberal allegiance at a crossroads
“But I say again, the European Commissioner is there for Europe, not to represent Czech interests,” stated Babiš in 2019. It’s a quintessential quote that shows how multi-layered politics in the region can be. Věra Jourová, also from ANO and a strong advocate for values and transparency in the EU, exemplifies this complexity. Her portfolio clashes with illiberal leaders yet is part of ANO. How is this possible? Unlike Orbán, Babiš doesn’t have ambitions outside of Czech politics so he acts as a conventional populist: he says one thing at home, and another in the EU. Jourová and Babiš don’t promote party origins or speak much about this in domestic politics, and Czech voters appear less focused on these EU dynamics.
ANO’s rise under Babiš’s leadership presents a conundrum in the context of liberal democracy. His attendance at the CPAC conference in Hungary and subsequent actions by ALDE and Renew Europe spotlight the party’s challenging position. ANO’s defence of its core values against allegations of illiberalism raises questions about its future in the European liberal political family, especially with the 2024 European Parliament elections on the horizon. ANO presented arguments, stating that since its foundation, it fought against corruption and advocated for a well-managed, transparent state. But will it be enough to convince ANO’s European political family, or will they need to find a new home after the upcoming 2024 EP elections? Soon, we will see.
