Czech opposition wins Senate seats as Babis's ANO takes none

Opposition parties won 22 of the 27 seats contested in the second round of Czech Senate elections held on Saturday. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement failed to win any of the seats it contested, the first time a governing party has been shut out of a senatorial election in this manner. Babiš called the result catastrophic.

The Mayors and Independents (STAN) party took ten seats, including two won outright in the first round. The Civic Democrats (ODS) won seven. Christian Democrats retained three and TOP 09 retained two. The Pirates lost their remaining Senate representation. Turnout in the second round was 21.12 percent, the highest since 2010. One-third of the 81-seat upper house is elected every two years under a two-round system.

STAN candidates elected include Michael Kašpar in Kolín, Karel Řehka in Plzeň, David Smoljak in Prague 9 and Jiří Padevět in Prague 1. ODS successes included Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová in Hradec Králové and several incumbents who defended seats. ANO sent the largest number of candidates into run-offs but converted none. The outcome leaves the opposition with a clear majority in the Senate, which can delay ordinary legislation and block constitutional amendments.

The result follows municipal elections the previous weekend in which ANO’s performance was weaker than four years earlier. Babiš’s coalition, which includes right-wing and far-right parties, holds a majority in the lower house and is not immediately threatened. The Senate defeat is the first major electoral test since the coalition took office. STAN leader Vít Rakušan described the outcome as better than expected and positioned his party as a challenger to ANO.

Notable winners include former army chief of staff Karel Řehka and historian Jiří Padevět. The low but improved turnout reflects the limited public attention usually given to Senate races. The upper house’s role in constitutional matters gives the opposition a continuing check on the government even while it remains in the minority in the Chamber of Deputies.

The elections confirm a pattern in which the Senate has remained a stronghold for centre-right and independent forces. ANO’s failure to gain a single seat in the contested districts marks a concrete setback for the governing movement less than a year after it returned to power.