Czech opposition leads Senate election first round

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 11:19 · Archive

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's ANO movement won the most candidates through to runoffs but opposition parties combined for twice as many.

In the first round of voting to fill one-third of the Czech Senate's seats, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's centrist ANO movement advanced the most candidates to next week's runoffs with 13, but opposition parties that formed broad coalitions across many districts combined for 26 advancing candidates.

Five candidates reached the 50 per cent threshold to win seats outright in the first round. None came from ANO; four represented opposition parties. The ANO movement had hoped to make gains in the 81-seat Senate, which is currently controlled by the opposition. Of the 27 Senate seats up for grabs, 22 will be decided in runoffs between the top two finishers in each race.

In separate local elections held at the same time, ANO won in six regional capitals, two fewer than in the previous 2022 vote, and did not win in Prague. Independent candidates and groupings appeared to win most seats nationwide, described as a traditional result.

These are the first elections since Babiš returned to power following a decisive parliamentary victory in October 2025. The Senate plays an important role in constitutional amendments and approving Constitutional Court judges, though Parliament's lower house dominates the legislative process.

How it is being reported

• Czech opposition outpaced the ruling party in first round of Senate electionPrime Minister Andrej Babiš's political group is facing a strong challenge from the opposition in the Czech Republic’s Senate elections.Clickorlando · 11 Oct, 10:29
• Czech opposition outpaced the ruling party in first round of Senate electionPrime Minister Andrej Babiš's political group is facing a strong challenge from the opposition in the Czech Republic’s Senate elections.News4Jax · 11 Oct, 10:29

In this story: Andrej Babiš · ANO · Czech Republic · Prague

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