Opposition ANO claims first-ever victory in Senate elections
The opposition ANO Party has marked a significant victory in the 2024 Senate elections. The party, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, secured eight of the 27 seats available, claiming its first ever win in the elections to the upper house of Czech parliament. Two ANO candidates were successful in the first round, with six more winning in run-offs.
Candidates from the ruling coalition secured victories in 15 districts. The Mayors and Independents emerged as the most successful among the government parties, winning six seats, while the Civic Democrats only defended five of ten seats. The Christian Democrats and TOP 09 Party each won in two districts.
Among the newcomers in the Senate will be the anti-government party Oath, whose leader Robert Šlachta won both rounds in the Břeclav region. Meanwhile, the Communist Party and the Tomio Okamura’s Freedom and Direct Democracy have repeatedly failed to secure a seat in the upper house.
According to the Vice-Chair of ANO, Karel Havlíček, the party will seek a seat in the Senate leadership following their convincing victory in the elections. He also said ANO is currently the strongest political entity Czechia and is ready to assume governmental responsibility following the next parliamentary elections.
Just 17.5 percent of eligible voters chose to vote in the second round of the 2024 Senate elections, after an attendance of 30.82 percent in the first round. This represents one of the lowest turnouts since the establishment of the independent Czech Republic.
Following the Senate elections, the ANO Party will have the largest presence in the upper house with 11 seats. However, the government coalition parties will still retain a majority in the 81-seat Senate.
The Mayors and Independents and the SPOLU coalition will each have 10 representatives, while the Civic Democrats, who currently have 13 senators, will only keep six seats.
