Sudden Attack in Dobrá Sparks Campaign Pause
On September 1, 2025, at a campaign event in the eastern Czech town of Dobrá, former Prime Minister and ANO party leader Andréj Babiš was unexpectedly struck in the head with a metal crutch by an attacker, according to Xinhua and verified local media.
He was immediately taken to a hospital in nearby Frýdek-Místek for medical examination, where he underwent a head CT scan and was later released.
Campaign Disruption and Health Update
That evening, Babi made a post on social media announcing the cancellation of his campaign events in the Olomouc region for the following day, citing medical advice to rest while awaiting detailed test results, Idnes reported.
He expressed concern for his supporters, writing, “I apologize to everyone who wanted to meet me,” and assured them of ongoing updates.
Rapid Arrest and Official Fallout
Police apprehended the assailant immediately at the scene, and the incident is under investigation as hooliganism, with preliminary charges pointing to disorderly conduct. Other attendees—including a woman—were also treated for minor injuries.
Political reaction was swift. Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Interior Minister Vít Rakušan condemned the attack in strong terms, stating that violence has no place in political discourse.
Meanwhile, Karel Havlíček, the ANO deputy chairman, blamed the incident on a “hate campaign” stoked by political rivals, suggesting the attack was a consequence of increasingly aggressive rhetoric.
Rising Political Tensions Ahead of Elections
The attack hits at a tense moment—just a month before the October 3–4 parliamentary elections, in which Babiš’s Eurosceptic ANO party remains the front-runner according to polls.
Babiš is no stranger to controversy. Once the wealthiest Czech politician, his tenure as prime minister (2017–2021) and his presidential run in 2023 were marred by legal disputes over EU subsidy fraud and alleged conflicts of interest.
Political polarization has intensified during the 2025 campaign season, and this violent episode demonstrates the importance of respectful election discourse.
This incident underscores several critical challenges facing Czech politics today:
- Election Security and Civility: A high-profile attack underlines the need for greater protection and calm within political campaigning.
- Polarized Environment: Accusations of a “hate campaign” point to escalating tensions that may erode democratic norms.
- Uncertain Campaign Timeline: With Babiš stepping back to recover, voters are left watching closely for how his absence may affect ANO’s momentum.
