Czech government coalition licking wounds after regional elections defeat

The leadership of the Pirate Party, a member of the ruling coalition, has stepped down after the party’s poor performance in the regional and Senate elections. The party will elect new leadership at a conference scheduled for 9 November, with Ivan Bartoš, who has led the party for many years and is the Deputa Prime Minister opting not to seek re-election. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party) expressed his respect for the decision and plans to meet Bartoš to discuss the implications. The Pirate Party experienced the largest setback among the coalition parties in the regional elections, losing 96 regional council seats and securing just three in the Pilsen Region.