Babiš's ANO fails to win seats in Czech Senate: vote results called a disaster

Prime Minister's political force without representation in the upper house

The ANO party, led by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, failed to secure any seats in the Senate elections, the final stage of which concluded on 17 October. The political organisation was unable to strengthen its position in this chamber of parliament, where the opposition holds the majority.

Assessment of results and impact on power

The outcome constituted an electoral setback for Babiš, who returned to power last year. His team had expected to increase its representation in the Senate, which has a total membership of 81 senators. In the current elections, only a third of the chamber's composition was up for re-election.

Babiš himself characterised the voting results as "катастрофічні" (catastrophic). However, the defeat is unlikely to destabilise his eurosceptic coalition government, which includes right-wing and far-right parties.

Foreign policy and domestic priorities

After returning to power, the Czech coalition ceased providing direct state military support to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Furthermore, the government opposed the European Union's climate policy.

Despite the failure in the Senate elections, ANO continues to lead in nationwide public opinion polls. Babiš's government has eased budget policy with the aim of raising wages and pensions, as well as increasing investment in transport infrastructure. This approach has drawn criticism in Czechia, a country with a population of 10.9 million that traditionally adheres to a prudent budget policy.