Czech president swears in new coalition government of populist billionaire Andrej Babiš

PRAGUE (AP) — A new Czech coalition government led by populist billionaire Andrej Babiš took office on Monday with an agenda to steer the country away from supporting Ukraine and reject some key European Union policies.

President Petr Pavel swore in the Cabinet at the Prague Castle, ending a pro-Western coalition under former Prime Minister Petr Fiala that made the country a staunch supporter of Ukraine and a haven for hundreds of thousands Ukrainian refugees.

Babiš, previously prime minister in two governments from 2017-2021, and his ANO, or YES, movement, won big in the country's October election and agreed to form a majority coalition government with two small political groups, the Freedom and Direct Democracy anti-migrant party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves.

The parties, which share admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump, created a 16-member Cabinet. ANO holds eight posts and the prime minister’s office. The Motorists have four and the Freedom party three.

The political comeback by Babiš and his new alliance with two small government newcomers are expected to significantly redefine the nation's foreign and domestic policies.

Babiš is set to join the ranks of Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia, whose countries have refused to provide military aid to Ukraine and which oppose EU sanctions on Russia.

Babiš has rejected any financial aid by his country for Ukraine and guarantees for EU loans to the country fighting the Russian invasion.

He already joined forces with his friend Orbán last year to create a new alliance in the European Parliament, the “Patriots for Europe,” to represent hard-right groups. Previously, he was a member of the liberal Renew group.

Babiš suggested his government would abandon a Czech initiative that has managed to acquire some 1.8 million much-needed artillery shells for Ukraine only this year on markets outside the EU.

The Freedom party sees no future for the Czechs in the EU and NATO and wants to expel most of 380,000 Ukrainian refugees in the country. The group does not consider Russia a threat and its members repeat its propaganda.

The Motorists, who are close to former euro-skeptic President Václav Klaus, rejected the EU Green Deal and proposed revivals of coal and relations with Slovakia, Hungary and Poland in an informal group known as V4 whose activities has been stalled over different views of the Russian war against Ukraine.

The Motorists, whose head Petr Macinka became the foreign minister, blamed the former government of damaging relations with Slovakia and Hungary.

The new government promised to present a plan to reduce electricity prices, revoke a pension reform and change the financing of the public radio and television that critics say would would bring the broadcasters under government control.

Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis leaves the Prague Castle after his government was appointed in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Czech Republic's President Petr Pavel, center, and Prime Minister Andrej Babis, center left, pose for a family photo with newly appointed government members at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Czech Republic's President Petr Pavel, right, toasts with Prime Minister Andrej Babis after appointing his government members at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis watches as his government members are appointed at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Leader of ANO political movement Andrej Babis addresses the media after being sworn in as the country's new prime minister at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

MADRID (AP) — Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is adopting the “anything is possible” mentality ahead of the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona hosts Atletico on Tuesday needing to reverse a 4-0 loss from the first leg in Madrid last month.

“We are four goals behind and we have to make the impossible possible," Flick said on Monday. "That is the objective. It’s not easy. However, we will not give up.

"It is important to keep a clean sheet, but we must believe in our strength and that we can achieve it ... you must always believe. In each half we need to score two goals.”

Barcelona was trounced by Atletico in the opening half of the first match and could have conceded even more than the four goals it allowed before halftime.

It was able to even the game a bit after the break but couldn't find a way to score. It loudly complained over a Pau Cubarsí goal early in the second half that was disallowed. The Spanish soccer federation later said the automatic technology to detect offsides didn’t work properly.

“We have to be smart,” Flick said. "We must press them, win the duels and make things difficult for them. We cannot lose possession as they are very dangerous in transitions. We have to play as one.”

Flick will be without experienced forward Robert Lewandowski because of injury. Frenkie de Jong and Gavi also remain sidelined while defender Eric García won't play because he was sent off in the first leg.

“We will have to manage Lewy’s absence," Flick said. "We haven’t had much luck. Losing a player like him, and the others who cannot be there, is a problem but the team handles it well."

Barcelona is coming off a 4-1 win over Villarreal in the Spanish league, when Lamine Yamal scored a hat trick.

The Catalan club is the defending Copa champion. It won the trophy for a record 32nd time by beating Real Madrid in last year’s final.

Atletico, which has won three in a row in all competitions, is trying to return to the Copa final for the first time since it lifted the trophy in 2012-13 for the 10th time.

“We are focused on the match ahead, which will be against a very good, offensive opponent that has great individual players and a collective game that makes them one of the most competitive teams in La Liga and in Europe,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski (9) is congratulated after scoring his side's 4th goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Villareal in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone celebrates after the Champions League play-off second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge, in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone celebrates after the Champions League play-off second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge, in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick, center, reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Villareal in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)