Number of candidates reach Senate in first round of elections

In elections to 27 of the 81 seats in the Senate, a number of candidates reached over 50 percent of the vote, meaning they made it into the upper house without having to take part in second round, two-candidate run-offs next weekend.

The successful candidates include Jan Grolich, chairman of the Christian Democrats and governor of South Moravia, who triumphed in Vyškov.

Jan Grulich (running for KDUODSSTPTOPLES, TOP 09) secured a seat outright in Rychnov nad Kněžnou. In Trutnov, Jan Sobotka won a seat for the Mayors and Independents. Tomáš Fiala of Our Czechia held on to his seat in Strakonice.

The current speaker of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, said on Saturday afternoon that he hoped to remain in the post after the elections. Mr. Vystrčil has held the position since early 2020. However, his Civic Democrats would need to emerge from the elections with more seats than the Mayors and Independents and ANO, which is as yet unclear.