Babiš vows cheap energy lower retirement age to reclaim power

Post by : Armust Desk

Andrej Babiš is one of the most familiar names in Czech politics. He is a businessman who made his fortune in agriculture and chemicals before entering politics. Babiš served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 2017 until 2021. He leads the political party known as ANO, which he founded in 2011.

When he first created ANO, it was seen as a movement close to the political center, supporting business growth and keeping good relations with the European Union. Over the years, however, Babiš has shifted further to the right. He has taken positions that are more nationalist, skeptical of the European Union, and closer to far-right parties across Europe.

Now, in 2025, Babiš is trying to return to power. The Czech Republic will hold parliamentary elections on October 3 and 4. According to most opinion polls, ANO is leading the race, with support from more than 30% of voters. This puts Babiš about ten percentage points ahead of the ruling coalition called SPOLU, which has been in charge since defeating him in 2021.

What Promises Is He Making?

To win the trust of voters, Babiš has presented a long list of promises. These promises mainly focus on making life cheaper and easier for families, workers, and pensioners.

• Cheaper Energy: Babiš says his government will cap energy prices. This means there will be a maximum limit on what people pay for electricity and gas, even if market prices rise. He argues that high energy bills hurt ordinary families and businesses, and the government must step in.

• Lower Pension Age: He has promised that people will be able to retire at the age of 65. The current plan, approved by the ruling coalition, is to slowly raise the pension age to 67 in the future. Babiš says that this would be unfair for older workers, especially those in tough jobs, who deserve to retire earlier.

• Cutting Taxes: His plan includes reducing corporate tax from 21% to 19% to attract investment. He also wants to let individuals write off more expenses from their income tax and reduce sales tax in restaurants, which he says will help small businesses and tourism.

• Removing Media Fees: Czech families now pay fees to support public television and radio. Babiš wants to cancel these fees entirely, making public broadcasting free for all.

• Freezing Politicians’ Pay: He has promised that the salaries of lawmakers will not increase, saying politicians should share the sacrifices of ordinary people.

• Rejecting EU Climate Taxes: From 2027, the European Union plans to extend carbon pricing rules to households, meaning people may need to pay for their carbon emissions from heating or transport. Babiš strongly opposes this plan and says he will block such taxes in the Czech Republic.

• Nationalizing the Energy Giant CEZ: At present, the Czech state owns about 70% of CEZ, the country’s largest electricity producer. Babiš wants the government to take full control by buying up the remaining shares. He says this would give the state power to control prices and ensure energy security for citizens.

How Will It All Be Paid For?

One of the biggest questions is how these promises will be financed. Babiš and his team, led by former finance minister Alena Schillerová, say the answer lies in better tax collection and faster economic growth.

They believe that if everyone pays the taxes they owe, and if businesses grow thanks to lower taxes, then government income will rise naturally. They also argue that Czech citizens will have more money to spend if energy bills and taxes are lower, which will boost the economy.

However, they are not promising a perfectly balanced budget right away. Instead, they expect that the country’s finances will stabilize in the long term, once the benefits of their policies are seen.

What Do Critics Say?

The current ruling coalition, SPOLU, has sharply criticized Babiš’s promises. They warn that his ideas may sound attractive to voters but could cause serious harm to the economy.

SPOLU leaders say that capping energy prices, cutting taxes, and lowering the pension age all cost a lot of money. If the government spends so much without earning enough income, the country will have to borrow more. This could push the Czech Republic into what they call a “debt spiral,” where borrowing increases every year and becomes hard to control.

They also point out that their government has already made progress in reducing the budget deficit. When they came to power in 2021, the deficit was about 5% of the country’s economic output. By 2025, they will have brought it down to below 2%. They claim this shows they are more responsible with public money than Babiš.

What Do the Polls Show?

Despite criticism, Babiš and his party remain popular. Many ordinary people like his direct style and believe he understands the struggles of everyday life. The promise of cheaper energy and earlier retirement is especially attractive to older voters, workers in heavy industries, and families struggling with living costs.

Opinion surveys suggest that ANO has the best chance of winning the election. But even if Babiš wins the most votes, it does not mean he will govern easily. He may not win a majority of seats in parliament and would need to find partners.

This is where the situation becomes more complicated. Because of tensions with the current coalition, it is unlikely SPOLU would ever work with him. That means Babiš may have to rely on smaller, far-right, or pro-Russian parties for support. His opponents warn that this could pull the Czech Republic away from its close ties with the European Union and NATO.

What Might Happen Next?

The election in October is shaping up to be one of the most important in recent Czech history. On one side, there is Babiš and his ANO movement, promising bold changes, cheaper living costs, and a fight against EU climate rules. On the other side, there is the ruling coalition, arguing for stability, responsibility, and keeping the country firmly within Europe’s mainstream policies.

The outcome will not only decide who leads the Czech Republic but also how the country deals with big questions—like how to pay for pensions, how to protect people from high energy bills, and how much independence to take from the European Union.

For many voters, the choice will be between short-term relief and long-term caution. Babiš is offering big promises today, while his opponents are warning of risks tomorrow.

Andrej Babiš is betting that his promises of cheaper energy, lower retirement age, and tax cuts will win over voters and bring him back to power. His critics argue that the cost of these pledges may push the country into deeper debt. As the election approaches, the Czech Republic is preparing for a fierce debate over its future.

Babiš, ANO party, Czech elections 2025, energy price cap, pension age