Populist ANO wins partial Senate election in Czech Republic

The populist opposition party ANO (Yes), led by former prime minister Andrej Babiš, unexpectedly secured the most seats in the partial Senate elections in the Czech Republic.

The two-day run-off round concluded on Saturday. It is important to note that, as is the case every two years, only one third of the total 81 seats in the Senate were up for election. Therefore, the existing government majority in the second chamber of parliament was not at risk.

Following the counting of all votes, it has been confirmed that ANO won a total of eight seats, a gain of seven.

The liberal-conservative ruling parties secured a combined total of 15 senator posts, though they suffered some losses.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s Civic Democratic Party (ODS) won in only five of the 10 constituencies it was defending.

Interior Minister Vit Rakušan’s Mayors and Independents (STAN) secured six seats, the Christian Democratic Union (KDU-CSL) won two, and the conservative TOP09 also claimed two mandates.

The Senate holds a right of co-determination in legislation and can block constitutional changes.

Voter turnout in the run-off, which took place shortly after the flood disaster in eastern Czechia, was extremely low at 17.5%.

The increasingly right-wing populist ANO, led by billionaire Babiš, had already clearly won the regional elections a week ago.

The party collaborates at the EU level with Hungary's Fidesz and Austria's Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ).

The elections were considered an important test of voter sentiment ahead of next year’s elections to the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, the more significant of the two parliamentary chambers.