Opposition ANO party claims 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 Oath party, whose leader Robert Šlachta won both rounds in the Břeclav region.

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. It is one of the lowest turnouts since the establishment of the independent Czech Republic.