Czech Elections: A Comprehensive Guide to Politics and Voting

Czech elections determine the leadership of the country’s bicameral Parliament, the Presidency, and local government bodies through a system of universal direct suffrage. In the most recent major contest, the 2025 Czech parliamentary elections held on October 3–4, the ANO party, led by Andrej Babiš, secured a significant victory, subsequently forming a coalition government with the SPD and the “Motorists for Themselves” (AUTO) party. This shift returned Babiš to the office of Prime Minister, marking a transition from the previous center-right SPOLU coalition led by Petr Fiala.

In this guide, you will learn about the structural nuances of the Czech political system, including the roles of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. We provide detailed breakdowns of major political parties, recent election results, and practical information for voters—including eligibility rules for EU citizens living in the Czech Republic. Whether you are looking for historical context or the latest 2026 political updates regarding the standoff between President Petr Pavel and the Babiš government, this resource offers an authoritative overview of Czech democracy.

Czech Parliamentary System

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy where legislative power is vested in a bicameral Parliament. This body consists of the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house) and the Senate (the upper house), each governed by different electoral rules and terms.

The Chamber of Deputies is the primary legislative driver, consisting of 200 members elected for four-year terms via proportional representation. The Senate acts as a stabilizing element, featuring 81 members elected for six-year terms, with one-third of the seats contested every two years through a majority-win (two-round) system.

Chamber of Deputies

The Chamber of Deputies (Poslanecká sněmovna) is the most powerful legislative body in the country. It has the sole power to pass a vote of no confidence in the Government and is the primary chamber where the national budget is debated and approved.

Elections for the 200 seats are held every four years, and the threshold for a single party to enter parliament is 5% of the national vote. Coalitions face higher thresholds (typically 8% for two parties and 11% for three or more). The Prime Minister is typically the leader of the strongest party or coalition within this chamber.

The Czech Senate

The Senate (Senát) serves as a “constitutional fuse” to prevent radical legislative changes. Senators are elected in 81 individual districts, and unlike the Chamber, the Senate cannot be dissolved by the President.

Candidates for the Senate must be at least 40 years old. Because only one-third of the Senate is renewed every two years, the chamber’s political composition changes more slowly than the lower house, often providing a check on the sitting government if the opposition holds a majority there.

Presidential Elections

The President of the Czech Republic is the formal head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Since 2013, the President has been elected through a direct popular vote for a five-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms.

While the role is largely ceremonial, the President possesses key powers, such as appointing the Prime Minister, appointing judges to the Constitutional Court, and the right to veto legislation (except constitutional bills). The current President is Petr Pavel, a retired army general who took office in March 2023.

Political Parties in 2026

The Czech political landscape is currently dominated by a divide between populist-conservative forces and liberal-profoundly pro-EU groups. As of early 2026, the governing coalition is led by the ANO 2011 movement, which positions itself as a “catch-all” party with right-wing populist leanings.

Major opposition forces include the SPOLU alliance (composed of the ODS, KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09) and the Mayors and Independents (STAN). New movements, such as Naše Česko (Our Czechia), founded by South Bohemian Governor Martin Kuba in early 2026, are attempting to bridge the gap between these polarized camps.

ANO 2011

Founded by billionaire Andrej Babiš, ANO (Action of Dissatisfied Citizens) focuses on pragmatic governance and often clashes with EU regulations regarding migration and the Green Deal. It currently holds the largest share of seats in the Chamber of Deputies following the 2025 elections.

SPOLU Coalition

This center-right alliance was the primary governing force from 2021 to 2025. It emphasizes fiscal responsibility, traditional values, and strong ties to both the European Union and NATO, though it currently sits in the opposition.

2025 Election Results

The parliamentary elections of October 2025 saw a massive resurgence for Andrej Babiš and ANO. The party capitalized on concerns regarding inflation and energy prices to secure enough seats to form a majority with the nationalist SPD and the pro-car movement AUTO.

The outgoing SPOLU coalition finished in second place, largely due to a loss of support among middle-class voters who were dissatisfied with the previous government’s austerity measures. This result has led to a significant shift in Czech foreign policy, with the current government taking a more skeptical stance toward certain EU integrations.

Voter Eligibility Rules

To vote in Czech national elections, an individual must be a citizen of the Czech Republic and at least 18 years old. For the Chamber of Deputies and the Presidency, only Czech citizens can participate, regardless of where they live.

However, EU citizens residing in the Czech Republic have the right to vote in municipal elections and European Parliament elections. To do so, they must be registered on the electoral roll at their place of residence at least 48 hours before the polls open.

Practical Information for Voters

Czech elections typically take place over two days: Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. This unique schedule allows for maximum participation among working citizens and those traveling for the weekend.

Opening Hours: Friday (2:00 PM – 10:00 PM) and Saturday (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM).
Location: Your specific polling station is determined by your permanent address; you will receive ballot papers by mail about three days before the election.
Identification: You must bring a valid national ID card or passport to the polling station to receive your official envelope.
Voter Cards: If you are away from home, you can apply for a “Voter Card” (voličský průkaz) to vote at any polling station in the country.

Current Political Tensions

As of February 2026, the Czech Republic is experiencing a high-stakes standoff between President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The dispute centers on the government’s attempts to influence the security apparatus and foreign policy shifts that the President views as a threat to the constitutional order.

Protests have recently occurred in Prague in support of the Constitution and President Pavel. These tensions are expected to define the political atmosphere leading up to the regional and Senate elections scheduled for later this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next Czech election?

Following the 2025 general elections, the next major nationwide contests will be the Senate and Regional elections in late 2026. The next Presidential election is scheduled for 2028.

Who is the current Prime Minister of the Czech Republic?

The current Prime Minister is Andrej Babiš, who returned to office following the October 2025 parliamentary elections.

Can foreigners vote in Czech elections?

Only Czech citizens can vote in national (Parliament/Presidential) elections. However, EU citizens with temporary or permanent residence can vote in municipal and European Parliament elections.

How many seats are in the Czech Parliament?

There are 200 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 81 seats in the Senate, totaling 281 parliamentarians.

Is voting compulsory in the Czech Republic?

No, voting is entirely voluntary in the Czech Republic; there are no legal penalties for not participating.

What is the “5% threshold”?

To gain any seats in the Chamber of Deputies, a political party must receive at least 5% of the total national vote. This prevents extreme fragmentation of the parliament.

How long is the term of a Czech Senator?

A Senator serves a six-year term, but elections are staggered so that one-third of the Senate is elected every two years.

Where do I find my polling station?

Your polling station address is usually printed on the envelope containing your ballot papers, which is delivered to your registered address before the election.

Can I vote by mail in the Czech Republic?

Currently, the Czech Republic does not have a general mail-in voting system for citizens living within the country, though discussions about “correspondence voting” for citizens abroad have been a major political topic.

Who is the head of state?

The head of state is the President, currently Petr Pavel. The head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Andrej Babiš.

What is the SPOLU alliance?

SPOLU (meaning “Together”) is a center-right political alliance formed by the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09.

Final Thoughts

As the Czech Republic enters 2026, its political landscape is defined by a sharp “cohabitation” between a populist government and a liberal presidency. The victory of Andrej Babiš and the ANO movement in October 2025 has shifted the country’s trajectory toward a more skeptical stance on EU integration and aggressive domestic reforms. However, the constitutional checks provided by President Petr Pavel and a partially renewed Senate ensure that any major shifts in the rule of law face significant institutional resistance.

The upcoming 2026 Senate and Municipal elections will serve as the first major litmus test for the Babiš administration’s popularity. With public protests in early 2026 highlighting a deep societal divide over the government’s influence on the state apparatus, the next several years will likely be characterized by intense political maneuvering and legal challenges. For voters and observers alike, the resilience of Czech democratic institutions remains the primary focus as the country navigates this era of heightened polarization.