Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's ANO won none of the 27 seats up for election in the Czech Senate this month, and pro-Western opposition parties kept control of the upper house, according to results from the run-offs on October 16–17. It is the first electoral test, and the first clear setback, for Babiš since he returned to power in October 2025, the AP reported.
ANO even lost the one seat it was defending.
How did each party do?
| Party | Seats won (of 27) | Seats now (of 81) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayors and Independents (STAN) | 9 | 14 | −1 |
| Civic Democrats (ODS) | 7 | 20 | +2 |
| Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) | 3 | 12 | — |
| TOP 09 | 2 | 7 | — |
| Our Czechia | 1 | 1 | +1 |
| SEN 21 | 1 | 3 | −1 |
| Mayors for the Liberec Region | 1 | 3 | — |
| ANO | 0 | 11 | −1 |
| Pirate Party | 0 | 0 | −1 |
Several local and independent lists won the remaining seats.
How bad is this for Babiš?
ANO won about 22.5% of the vote in the first round and 21.6% in the run-offs, enough to reach several run-offs but not to win any. According to results compiled on Wikipedia, it is the first time governing parties have won no Senate seats.
The Pirate Party also lost its last senator and has no Senate presence for the first time since 2012.
Why does the Czech Senate matter?
The Senate is the upper house of the Czech parliament. It:
- Can delay most laws passed by the lower house
- Must approve constitutional amendments
- Approves constitutional court judges nominated by the president
With the opposition in control, Babiš's coalition faces a check on constitutional changes and key appointments.
How did turnout look?
| Round | Dates | Turnout |
|---|---|---|
| First round (with municipal elections) | Oct. 9–10 | 43.31% |
| Run-offs | Oct. 16–17 | 21.12% |
What to watch
The Senate presidency. The chamber will choose a new president, a key constitutional post and a counterweight to the government.
Babiš's response. Whether the defeat prompts any change of course from a government that has been in office for only a year.
Municipal results. The local elections held alongside the first round give a wider picture of ANO's strength across the country.



