Communist role in Czech government is post-1989 first

Significance

The 105-91 vote ends a period of uncertainty since October 2017 elections. The Communist Party (KSCM) backed the new government after signing an agreement with Andrej Babis’s ANO party that accommodated some Communist demands: it is the first government since 1989 in which the hardline KSCM has played any formal role. If it serves out its term, the government will be in office until scheduled elections in autumn 2021.

Impacts

• The ANO-led administration adds to the Europe-wide trend of populist parties establishing themselves in government.
• The Visegrad countries will maintain a united front against any EU migration plans involving refugee quotas.
• Focused on national interests, the government will take a relatively soft line on Brexit and rule-of-law violations in Poland and Hungary.