2016 Senate elections: If you believe, everything is possible
18.10.2016Company: Grayling Czech Republic, s.r.o.
Lowest turnout in history (15.38%) and incredible success of the Christian Democrats mark the second round of the Senate elections. Out of 8 KDU-ČSL’s candidates progressing to the second round, 5 gained a seat in the Upper Chamber. The Christian Democrats can also gain up to four more seats thanks to successful candidates from the constituencies where they formed a coalition with other parties (the Green Party, the Pirate Party and others).
The elections did not cause many surprises, but there are some that should be noted. The Minister of Industry and Trade Jan Mládek did not win in Tábor, but the Prime Minister will probably keep him in the government anyway. The former Minister of Justice Helena Válková lost in Prague and experienced local politician Stanislav Juránek in South Moravia lost to an ANO candidate.
The important outcomes are that the government coalition retains its majority in the Senate, with the Social Democrats remaining the largest party in the Upper Chamber, followed by the Christian Democrats and the Civic Democrats (ODS). The Czech Senate is extraordinary in the way that many candidates do not run for just one party, but for coalitions. Therefore, the exact composition will be known only when those Senators decide which party club they will join. The results are, however, a setback for the Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, as they show growing dissatisfaction with his party just one year before the general elections. Similarly, ANO movement did not repeat the shining victory from the past week, gaining mere 3 Senate seats.
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Regional elections
Senate elections (1st round)
Senate elections (2nd round)
Tags: Politics |
