{
  "id": 15369715,
  "title": "Populist Czech PM Babis goes empty-handed in Senate elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/populist-czech-pm-babis-goes-empty-handed-in-senate-elections",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T07:03:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/populist-czech-pm-babis-goes-empty-handed-in-senate-elections/a-79690934?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Populist Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis' ruling coalition has suffered a significant setback in the recent Senate elections, failing to secure any of the 27 seats up for grabs. This result leaves pro-Western opposition parties in control of the upper chamber of parliament. The election served as the first major test for Babis following his return to power in October 2025 after a four-year break.\n\nThe final tally revealed that opposition-linked candidates emerged victorious in 22 of the 27 contested Senate seats, maintaining their previous majority. Babis' centrist ANO movement, led by the Prime Minister himself, was unable to secure any additional seats, leaving the movement with 14 lawmakers in the 81-member Senate.\n\nBabis expressed disappointment, stating, \"We certainly didn't expect that we wouldn't win a single Senate seat in this election,\" but remained committed to advancing his government's agenda. This includes an unpopular plan to overhaul funding for public broadcasters. The euroskeptic coalition has also terminated direct military support for Ukraine, amidst its defense against a Russian invasion, and opposed European Union policies aimed at combating global warming.\n\nWhile the lower house of the Czech parliament holds the primary legislative authority, the Senate plays a crucial role in the approval of constitutional amendments and the appointment of Constitutional Court judges. As a trusted news source, it is essential to remain informed about these political developments.",
  "summary": "Opposition parties still control the Czech Senate, in a major blow to Prime Minister Andrej Babis' and his governing coalition.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Pro-Western opposition wins big in Czech Senate election, dealing a blow to populist PM Babiš",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/pro-western-opposition-wins-big-in-czech-senate-election-dealing-a",
        "published": "2026-10-17T14:56:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Populist Czech PM Babis goes empty-handed in Senate elections",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/populist-czech-pm-babis-goes-empty-handed-in-senate-elections-15371157",
        "published": "2026-10-18T07:03:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}