Czechs have chosen a new parliament and determined the country’s next government

Polling stations across Czechia closed at 2 p.m. on Saturday, marking the end of the parliamentary elections and the start of vote counting. Voters decided not only which of the 26 parties and coalitions will enter the lower house but also whether the next government will be led by Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement or continue under the coalition of Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party). According to pre-election surveys, at least seven parties or movements were expected to win seats, with possible newcomers being Motorists Themselves and Enough!, supported by former communists and social democrats. Analysts called this election a contest over the character of Czech democracy and the country’s direction. Key campaign issues included inflation, energy prices, and the retirement age. Turnout was expected to be higher than the 65.4 percent recorded four years ago. Results from most of the country’s roughly 14,900 districts are likely to be available by early evening, though postal voting by some 11,000 Czechs abroad could delay the final tally.