Stories
Czech Opposition Outpaces Ruling Party in Senate Election First Round
- •Prime Minister Andrej Babis led ANO movement saw 13 candidates advance to the runoff in the Czech Republic Senate election first round.
- •Pro-Western opposition parties secured 26 candidates in the next round through broad coalitions across various districts.
- •Four out of five candidates who won outright by reaching the 50 percent threshold represent opposition parties, with none from ANO.
- •The 81-seat Senate is currently controlled by the opposition and plays a vital role in passing constitutional amendments.
- •Independent candidates won most seats in separate local elections, while ANO won in six regional capitals.
Key Questions Answered
Opposition parties and groups that joined forces in broad coalitions advanced 26 candidates to the next round, outpacing Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's centrist ANO movement, which had 13 candidates advancing. Additionally, all five candidates who reached the 50 percent threshold to win seats outright were from opposition parties, while none were from ANO.
While Parliament’s lower house dominates the legislative process, the 81-seat Senate plays a crucial role in passing constitutional amendments and approving Constitutional Court judges.
These Senate and local elections serve as the first major political test for populist billionaire Andrej Babiš since he returned to power following his decisive victory in the October 2025 parliamentary elections. Babiš currently leads a governing coalition with two small political groups that seek to reduce support for Ukraine and reject certain European Union policies.
