News

President Petr Pavel opened a series of post-election meetings on Sunday by receiving opposition leader Andrej Babiš, head of the ANO movement, at Prague Castle. Pavel did not yet ask Babiš to form a government, saying it would be too early for such a step. According to Babiš, their discussion focused mainly on possible post-election cooperation and Czechia’s position within the EU and NATO.

Babiš said he also briefed the president on initial talks with the Motorists and SPD parties, which he described as positive. Prague Motorists leader Boris Šťastný called the meeting “a courtesy visit,” adding that the party leadership will meet in the coming days to plan its next moves.

President Petr Pavel is beginning post-election consultations this morning at Prague Castle with leaders of parties that entered the lower house. Today he is meeting the heads of ANO, the Civic Democrats (ODS), Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL), TOP 09, and Mayors and Independents (STAN), with further talks planned for Monday. Pavel first receive edAndrej Babis, leader of the winning ANO party, who has already discussed possible cooperation with Motorists for Themselves and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD). Later meetings will include Prime Minister Petr Fiala of ODS, Marek Výborný of KDU-ČSL, Markéta Pekarová Adamová of TOP 09, and Vít Rakušan of STAN. The president is due to comment on the talks at a press conference at 4 p.m.

President Petr Pavel praised the high turnout in the Czech parliamentary elections, congratulating the winning ANO movement and other successful parties. He expressed his wish for the country to have a stable government, writing on X that the results show voters have confirmed Czechia’s “clearly prevailing pro-Western orientation.” Turnout reached 68.9 percent — the third highest in modern Czech history. Pavel thanked voters as well as election officials and institutions for ensuring a smooth process. Post-election consultations with party leaders will begin at Prague Castle on Sunday morning.

Nearly 5.59 million Czechs cast their ballots in this year’s parliamentary elections, about 216,000 more than in 2021. The turnout reached 68.9 percent, making it the third highest since 1996, according to preliminary data from the Czech Statistical Office after counting more than 99.7 percent of precincts. The highest participation was recorded in the Vysočina Region (72.5 percent), while the lowest was in Karlovy Vary Region (60.7 percent). In Prague, 71.5 percent of eligible voters took part. Turnout abroad was even higher at 77.4 percent, with 13,099 valid votes cast.