Czech PM Andrej Babis’ party suffers defeat in upper house elections
PraguecTypeface:> Czech opposition parties have held on to their majority in the Senate after run-off votes ended on Saturday. The ruling ANO party of billionaire Prime Minister A...
The Czech opposition parties have maintained their majority in the Senate following run-off votes that concluded on Saturday. Despite sending the most candidates to the second round, Prime Minister Andrej Babis' ruling ANO party failed to secure the remaining seats in the upper house of parliament. The centre-right Mayors and Independents party (STAN) emerged victorious, winning 10 out of the 27 seats up for grabs in both rounds.
The Civic Democrats (ODS) secured seven seats, the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) obtained three, and the conservative TOP09 party claimed two. The remaining seats were contested by smaller parties.
Prime Minister Babis criticized the government's handling of the elections, stating bluntly, "The government has, to put it bluntly, totally botched these elections - an incredible debacle." Only a third of the 81 Senate seats are up for election every two years. Voter turnout was low, at approximately 21% of eligible voters. The Czech Senate has the power to delay legislative changes and block constitutional amendments.
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