Social Democrats reject cooperation with ANO, Zemanites

The Czech Social Democrats, who are predicted to win the general election in two weeks’ time, have rejected the possibility of post-election cooperation with either the Citizens’ Rights Party–Zemanites or the ANO grouping. Social Democrat leader Bohuslav Sobotka told reporters the two parties were “commercial” and could be a risk to the future government’s stability. ANO, which polls suggest could receive around 13 percent of the vote, was founded by food magnate Andrej Babiš. The Zemanites formed several years ago around now president Miloš Zeman and are projected to win around 5 percent of the vote.