Czech populist billionaire Babis returns as prime minister, will take power next week

FILE PHOTO: Leader of ANO party Andrej Babis celebrates after the preliminary results of the parliamentary election, in Prague, Czech Republic, October 4, 2025.REUTERS/David W Cerny/File Photo

PRAGUE, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Czech President Petr Pavel appointed the billionaire leader of the populist ANO party, Andrej Babis, as prime minister on Tuesday, a key step in the formation of a government after ANO won an October parliamentary election.

Babis will take power from a strongly pro-Ukrainian centre-right administration after his full cabinet is appointed on December 15.