Russia seeks to lure Czechs away from Global West, pivot Czech Republic towards Russia & Global East

As Czechs head to the polls for high-stakes parliamentary elections, William Hilderbrandt welcomes Pavlína Janebová, Research Director at the Association for International Affairs (AMO). Ms. Janebová probes the fraught juncture at which the Czech Republic finds itself: the possible return to power of far-right populist and  former prime minister Andrej Babiš, in a climate suffused with Russian‑tilted narratives and disinformation. The current government’s strong pro‑Ukraine position invited backlash in electorates squeezed by inflation and discontent over domestic issues. This has woven the Russian playbook right into the campaign, amplifying grievances over quality of life, weakening faith in EU and NATO, and positioning “anti‑system” parties.