Standfirst: Czech voters are taking part in the second day of local and Senate elections, with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO party seeking gains in the upper house. The result will offer an early measure of public support for the governing coalition, while full results are expected on Sunday morning.
Czech voters are returning to polling stations on Saturday for local elections and a vote covering one third of the country’s 81-seat Senate. The election is being closely watched because it represents the first significant nationwide test of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s popularity since his return to office.
Babiš and his ANO movement won the parliamentary election in October 2025 and subsequently formed a nationalist coalition with the Motorists for Themselves, known as AUTO, and the Freedom and Direct Democracy party, or SPD. ANO remains the most popular party in opinion polling, according to the source report, but the local and Senate contests will show how that support translates into votes across the country.
Why the Czech elections matter
Local government contests often focus on practical issues such as public services, transport, housing and municipal budgets. The Senate election has a broader political significance because it can influence the balance of power in the Czech Parliament and provide a check on the government’s legislative agenda.
The Senate has 81 members, with elections held in stages so that approximately one third of its seats are contested at a time. A strong performance by ANO would strengthen the government’s political position, while gains for opposition parties could signal resistance to the coalition’s direction.
Babiš faces scrutiny over domestic priorities and Ukraine
Since returning as prime minister, Babiš has moved away from the previous government’s strong support for Ukraine. During the parliamentary campaign, ANO placed greater emphasis on domestic concerns, including energy prices, pensions and housing. The party also appealed to voters who questioned the level of financial support being provided to Kyiv.
That position contrasts with President Petr Pavel, who remains a firm supporter of Ukraine. The opposition also continues to back Ukraine, creating a clear political division over the Czech Republic’s foreign-policy approach and its role in European support for the country.
The election therefore carries significance beyond municipal administration. It may indicate whether voters support the government’s focus on domestic economic pressures and its more cautious approach to Ukraine, or whether opposition parties can mobilise concern about the country’s wider European and security commitments.
Government survives no-confidence vote
The vote follows a no-confidence motion that Babiš’s government survived earlier in October. The motion was linked in part to concerns about the country’s widening budget deficit.
Although the government remains in office, the parliamentary challenge highlighted pressure over public finances. The election results could affect how confidently the coalition approaches issues such as spending, pensions and energy policy in the months ahead.
Local and Senate results should not be interpreted as a direct replacement for a parliamentary election. Turnout, local candidates and regional political dynamics can all shape the outcome. Even so, the vote offers an important indication of the governing parties’ organisational strength and public standing.
When will the results be known?
Polling stations are scheduled to close at 2pm local time on Saturday. Full results are expected on Sunday morning.
The initial count will show whether ANO has made progress in the Senate contests and how the governing coalition has performed at local level. The results may also clarify whether opposition parties retain enough support to challenge the government in the upper house.
- Election: Local representatives and one third of Senate members
- Country: Czech Republic, also known as Czechia
- Prime minister: Andrej Babiš
- Main governing party: ANO
- Polling station closure: 2pm local time on Saturday
- Expected full results: Sunday morning
What happens next in Czech politics?
The immediate focus will be on the final distribution of Senate seats and the performance of the coalition parties in local authorities. A strong result for ANO could reinforce Babiš’s mandate to pursue his domestic programme. A weaker performance could encourage opposition parties and expose tensions over public finances, Ukraine policy and the coalition’s priorities.
The outcome will also be relevant to European observers. Czech policy on Ukraine, energy costs, budget management and relations with EU partners can affect wider European debates, even though the elections themselves are national and local contests rather than EU elections.
Conclusion
The Czech local and Senate elections are an important test for Andrej Babiš’s government after its return to power in 2025. The result will not determine the government’s survival on its own, but it could reveal whether voters support its domestic focus and changing position on Ukraine. The clearest picture will emerge once the full results are released on Sunday morning.
