ANO

Foto: Filip Jandourek
Seats in Parliament:
72 seats
ANO is the largest party in opposition.
Voters:
A broad voter base, including:
- older citizens
- rural voters
- individuals dissatisfied with traditional political elites
History:
ANO 2011 was founded in 2011 by one of Czechia’s richest men, Andrej Babiš, as an anti-establishment movement with a focus on business-like governance and political reform. It has evolved into a dominant populist party in Czech politics.
Political Position:
ANO is generally classified as center-right to centrist with a populist approach. It combines technocratic governance with nationalist rhetoric, often shifting its messaging to align with public sentiment. Economically, ANO supports state intervention and pro-business policies, while socially it blends moderate conservatism with pragmatic flexibility. Though officially pro-EU, it frequently criticizes EU institutions and aligns itself with anti-establishment and anti-elite narratives, appealing strongly to older, rural, and economically insecure voters.
Performance:
ANO was part of the government from 2014 to 2021. They implemented measures like increasing pensions and decreasing taxation, but state debt ballooned and the Covid-crisis was mismanaged. After losing power in the 2021 elections, ANO became the main opposition party, choosing an obstructive approach to parliamentary process, rather than putting forth alternative policy proposals. Its strength lies in the popularity of its leader and in a policy platform that serves as an empty vessel for any idea that resonates emotionally with voters. It is now consistently leading national polls with 31–35%.
Perception on Corruption:
ANO initially gained support with a strong anti-corruption platform. However, its leader, Andrej Babiš, has faced multiple corruption allegations, including conflicts of interest and the misuse of EU funds.