We are not as Politicians! Or are We? Case study of Andrej Babiš’s ANO in the Czech Republic

The political project ANO („YES“) of the billionaire Andrej Babiš nearly won the general elections in 2013, and it is often described as the most obvious evidence of the success of populism in Czech conditions. However, the ANO’s engagement in the government in coalition with mainstream parties resulted in a process of adaptation, including pushing aside its anti-party appeals. One year after the general elections, Babiš newly defined the ANO as “a right-wing formation with social feeling”. The aim of this paper is to analyze the development of political appeals of the ANO in its opposition and government periods, in the context of political opportunities and constraints. In order to understand the role of the leader Babiš in modifications of the ANO’s profile, I also pay attention to the party organization. For this I use the business firm model of party organization as my framework.