The comeback of Andrej Babis
A populist oligarch returns to power
Andrej Babis is often called the Czech Donald Trump. Like the American president, he is a billionaire with a penchant for populist stunts: after Petr Fiala, the incumbent prime minister, complained that Nutella costs less in Germany, Mr Babis handed him a jar of the stuff during a televised debate. Like Mr Trump, he has been accused by prosecutors of financial wrongdoing, though he denies the charges. And like Mr Trump, he has now been re-elected to run his country again after a term out of power.
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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Babis is back”
From the October 11th 2025 edition
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The Czech Trump wins an election, again
Andrej Babis, a populist billionaire, looks set to return after a term out of power