Czech Opposition Party ANO Poised for Strong Performance in Upcoming Local Elections

Former Czech Republic's Prime Minister and leader of centrist ANO (YES) movement Andrej Babis addresses the media after most of the votes were counted in the parliamentary elections, Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

As local elections approach in Czechia on September 20-21, the opposition party ANO, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, is emerging as a frontrunner in recent polls. A survey conducted by Kantar CZ and Data Collect for Czech Television indicates that ANO could secure up to 49.5% of the vote in regions like Moravian-Silesian, with significant support also seen in Olomouc and Ústí. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Petr Fiala's “Spolu” coalition trails in several areas. With the stakes high—holding 675 seats across 13 regional councils—these elections could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next parliamentary vote set for October 2025.

The Czech opposition party, ANO, is the favorite to win local elections across the country later this month, new polling has found.

According to a survey by the Kantar CZ and Data Collect polling agencies for Czech Television (ČT), the party of former Czech prime minister, Andrej Babiš, is expected to amass up to nearly half of the vote in some regions.

In second place in several regions is Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s “Spolu” coalition comprising his Civic Democratic Party (ODS), KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09.

Support for the ANO movement is strongest in the Moravian-Silesian region in the east of the country where 49.5 percent are expected to vote for the party. Similarly, in neighboring Olomouc, the ANO garnered 45 percent, while in the northwest region of Ústí, Babis’ party enjoys support of 47 percent.

Other regions with high opposition support include Zlín at 43.5 percent and Central Bohemian and Vysočina, both at 41.5 percent.

The party’s support is weakest in the South Bohemian region, with just 13.5 percent of decided voters backing it.

Regional elections in Czechia are due to be held on Sept. 20-21 when all 675 seats in the country’s 13 regional councils are to be contested.

ANO currently holds the most seats of any party with 172, followed by Fiala’s ODS and the Pirates party with 99 seats each.

The next Czech parliamentary election must be held before the end of October 2025.