Czech PM Babiš warns EU is following path of Roman Empire’s decline
PRAGUE — Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has issued a stark warning about the future of the European Union, arguing that the bloc is heading down the same path that led to the collapse of the Roman Empire.
In remarks that have reignited debate over Europe’s economic and political direction, Babiš pointed to soaring energy costs, industrial decline, mounting public debt, and increasing military spending commitments as signs that the European project is losing its competitive edge.
“The EU is now probably on the same road as the end of the Roman Empire,” Babiš said, criticizing policies he believes are undermining Europe’s economic strength.
The Czech leader argued that high energy prices have become a major burden on European businesses, particularly manufacturers that compete with companies in the United States and Asia. According to Babiš, environmental regulations and emissions policies have increased costs for industry at a time when global competition is intensifying.
He also expressed concern about what he described as a growing trend of deindustrialization across Europe, warning that factories and investment could increasingly move abroad if production costs continue to rise.
Beyond economic challenges, Babiš highlighted growing fiscal pressures facing EU member states. Governments, he said, are being asked to finance ambitious climate goals, maintain social welfare programs, and significantly increase defense spending in response to heightened security concerns.
The comments come as European governments face calls to strengthen military capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while also pursuing the bloc’s climate transition agenda and managing sluggish economic growth.
Babiš has long been a critic of deeper European integration and has called for greater national control over policymaking. His latest remarks reflect broader concerns voiced by several European politicians who argue that Brussels has become disconnected from the economic realities facing businesses and households.
Supporters of the EU’s current policies reject such criticism, arguing that investments in renewable energy and defense are necessary to ensure Europe’s long-term security and independence. They contend that reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels will ultimately strengthen the continent’s economy and resilience.
The comparison to the Roman Empire is likely to resonate with voters concerned about economic stagnation, rising living costs, and Europe’s position in an increasingly competitive global economy. However, critics argue that the analogy oversimplifies the complex challenges facing the modern European Union.
As debates over energy, competitiveness, defense, and sovereignty continue, Babiš’s comments underscore growing divisions within Europe over how the bloc should navigate an era of economic uncertainty and geopolitical tension.