We have traveled from Budapest to Prague. To another country in the new Axis?
Is The Czech Republic’s Andres Babis another Viktor Orban?
Yes and No.
Yes. Like Orban, he began as an opponent of Communist tyranny. Like Orban, he ended up preferring his own tyranny,
But No. He’s richer. He is the second wealthiest man in the Republic.
He did not have to work to control the press. He already owns the largest newspaper. He owns an empire of agricultural, food processing, and chemical companies.
But No. As Prime Minister, Babis does have the kind of control Orban has. Other political parties are powerful. His 2017 appointment was to head a minority government. When the government was defeated with a no confidence vote in 2018, he included the Communist Party in the new government to attain a majority.
And No. He doesn’t have enough control to prevent the police from investigating fraud in connection with his businesses. Nor can he prevent the opposition and newspapers he doesn’t own from criticizing him for conflicts of interest or from alleging that he intimidates opponents.
But Yes. He has made political capital of the refugee problem. He rejected the refugee quotas set by the European Union, saying the Czech Republic would be safer faced with sanctions from the EU than receiving refugees who endanger the country.
And Yes. Two months ago, like Orban, Andres Babis visited Donald Trump. They talked about the cybersecurity dangers from China. Did they talk about managing conflicts of interest as wealthy political leaders? Or the investigations they faced? They did talk about slogans. Babis said he wanted to Make The Czech Republic Great Again.