ANO says Babiš "only possible prime minister“

The ANO party, which won October’s general elections by a broad margin, has thrown its weight behind leader Andrej Babiš, despite the fact that he faces charges of EU subsidy fraud. The party leadership said on Monday that there was broad consensus within the party that Babiš should head the future cabinet.

Meanwhile, President Zeman, whose first term in office ends in March, on Monday confirmed that he would give Mr. Babiš another chance to form a government, regardless of whether he wins a new presidential term.

The president said that if he is re-elected he would give Babiš a longer time to find support for his government in the lower house, if not then he would hasten his appointment as prime minister, in order to prevent his challenger Drahoš from making a different decision.