Czechs vote in local elections and third of Senate amid Babiš’s leadership test
Polling stations in the Czech Republic are open for the second day of local elections and Senate member elections, closing at 2 pm local time.
Significant outcomes in the Senate elections could consolidate the ANO party’s influence, shaping domestic policy in response to concerns over energy, pensions, and housing amidst a growing budget deficit.
“This election is a crucial moment for us to evaluate the future direction of our governance,” stated Prime Minister Andrej Babiš as voting continues.
Czechs head to polls in local and Senate elections
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Czechs are heading to the polls on Saturday in the second day of voting to elect local representatives as well as a third of the Senate’s members, in what is being seen as a popularity test for Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
Babiš, who previously served as PM from 2017 to 2021, returned to power after his ANO party sealed a strong win in parliamentary elections in October 2025. The ANO, which continues to hold a sizeable lead in opinion polls as the country’s most popular party, formed a nationalist coalition government with the Motorists for Themselves (AUTO) and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) parties.
The billionaire populist politician and founder of the Agrofert food and chemicals group will now be hoping his party can make gains in the 81-seat Senate.
Since taking office, Babiš has distanced himself from support for Ukraine. The ANO had campaigned on promises to focus on domestic affairs such as energy prices, pensions, and housing, as they sought to tap into concerns too much money was being sent to Kyiv.
However, Czech President Petr Pavel remains a firm supporter of Ukraine, as does the opposition.
Babiš also survived a no-confidence vote earlier this month tied partly to the country’s widening budget deficit.
Polling stations are due to close at 2 pm local time, with full results expected on Sunday morning.