Civic Democrats in the lead, 47 percent turnout

With approximately half of the votes counted it is the centre right Civic Democrats who have the lead in both the Senate and local elections. Preliminary results indicate a 47 percent turnout. Interest in the elections has been sharpened by its likely impact on the country's drawn-out political crisis which followed June's inconclusive general elections.

The Senate election results could tip the constitutional balance of power and thus indirectly influence not just the set up of the country's next government, but the outcome of the next presidential election in 2008 and possible changes to the Constitution.

President Vaclav Klaus who cast his vote on Saturday morning, said he did not think the outcome of the elections would have a decisive impact on the talks on forming a new government. Mr. Klaus, who has been holding talks with party leaders in order to ascertain their position on a future government set up, has made it clear that he would not name a new prime minister designate until after the second round of Senate elections next week.