Politics · Other · 5 hrs ago
Czech opposition keeps Senate control as Babiš's party wins no seats
Czech opposition parties kept control of the Senate after voters filled 27 of its 81 seats.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's ANO party won none of the seats it contested, in a major electoral test since returning to power in 2025.
The pro-European Mayors and Independents party won 10 of the 14 seats it contested, while the Civic Democrats won seven.
The Senate has less power than the lower house, which can override its vetoes, but it helps approve constitutional changes and Constitutional Court judges.
Babiš called the outcome “catastrophic,” but it is unlikely to destabilise his coalition government.
He said the government would continue with its agenda, including a plan to change how public broadcasters are funded.
Pro-Western opposition parties kept control of the Czech Senate in an election that filled one-third of its seats.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement failed to win any of the seats it contested.
Opposition-linked candidates won 22 of the 27 seats at stake, according to AP.
Babiš called the result catastrophic, but said his government would continue with its agenda.
The lower house remains the main legislative chamber, while the Senate has a role in constitutional changes and approving Constitutional Court judges.
- Who
- Pro-Western opposition parties kept control of the Senate, while Babiš’s ANO movement won no contested seats.
- What
- The election filled one-third of the 81-seat Senate.
- When
- The results were reported on October 17, 2026, after a two-day ballot.
- Where
- Czech Republic.
- Why
- The election was a test for Babiš after he returned to power; the sources do not state another specific reason.
Pro-Western opposition parties
Babiš’s ruling coalition
Senate election result
Pro-Western opposition parties
Opposition-linked candidates won 22 of the 27 seats at stake and kept control of the Senate.
Babiš’s ruling coalition
ANO failed to win any contested seats, and its coalition partners also won none.
Government agenda
Pro-Western opposition parties
The sources identify the opposition as pro-Western but do not state its view on the government’s agenda.
Babiš’s ruling coalition
Babiš said his government would proceed with its agenda, including a plan to change how public broadcasters are funded.
The first round of the Senate election took place, according to the Straits Times.
Run-off voting was held for Senate seats.
Results showed that opposition parties kept control of the Senate and ANO won no contested seats.
- Senate size
- 81 seats
- Seats at stake
- 27
- Opposition-linked candidates
- Won 22 seats, according to AP
- ANO result
- Won no contested seats
- ANO Senate faction
- 14 lawmakers after the election
3 sources
What people are saying
We certainly didn’t expect that we wouldn’t win a single Senate seat in this election
catastrophic