Pro-Western opposition wins big in Czech Senate election, dealing a blow to populist PM Babiš

Pro-Western opposition parties secured a significant victory in the Czech Republic's election to fill one-third of the seats in Parliament's upper house, the Senate, on Saturday, dealing a setback to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's ruling coalition. The centrist ANO movement, led by billionaire populist Andrej Babiš, failed to win any seats in the two-round election, losing even the single seat it previously held.

The opposition retained control of the Senate, with 22 seats won by candidates directly affiliated with opposition parties. The Senate plays a crucial role in passing constitutional amendments and approving Constitutional Court judges, making these elections a significant test for Babiš, who recently returned to power after parliamentary elections in October 2025. Babiš's coalition partners also failed to secure any seats in the ballot.