PRAGUE (Reuters) -Czech populist party ANO, on track to form the next government after winning an election this month, said on Friday it could keep the outgoing cabinet’s proposed 2026 deficit target in order to pass a budget before year-end.

The outgoing centre-right government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala has brought public finances back within European Union rules. However, analysts expect fiscal loosening under ANO, which is led by billionaire former Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

The outgoing government has submitted a central state budget draft with a deficit of 286 billion crowns ($13.74 billion), up from 241 billion seen in 2025.

The next government could use that as a foundation to move the legislation ahead without delays, ANO official Alena Schillerova told reporters on Friday.

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