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2022 Czech Senate election

Senate elections were held in the Czech Republic on 23 and 24 September 2022 alongside municipal elections. The election were won by the Spolu alliance consisting of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), KDU-ČSL and TOP 09 which won 20 seats (including Tábor 2020 candidate Marek Slabý and ProMOST candidate Jan Paparega). The ODS was the most successful party, winning eight seats.

Districts and incumbents

Candidates

According to information from the Czech Statistical Office, 178 candidates (135 men and 43 women) applied candidacy. Compared to 2016 election, the number of candidates decreased by 55. The three youngest candidates seeking the senatorial seat are all 40 years old, the oldest candidate is 79 years old. The average age of the candidates is 56.63 years.

Among the incumbent senators, Anna Hubáčková, Jiří Cieńciała, Jan Žaloudík, Petr Šilar and Jaroslav Doubrava did not run.

Campaign

KDU-ČSL introduced its candidates on 24 April 2022. Leader Marian Jurečka stated that party wants to win 7 seats at least. On 29 May 2022 Czech Pirate Party launched campaign with slogan "Bravery to do what is right" and introduced its candidates. Party nominated 7 candidates.

Parties that include Spolu (ODS, KDU-ČSL and TOP 09) decided to cooperate in the election nominating 19 common candidates with 6 nominated by ODS (including Senate president Miloš Vystrčil), 7 nominated by KDU-ČSL and 6 nominated by TOP 09. Candidates were introduced to public on 14 June 2022. Czech Prime Minister and leader of Spolu Petr Fiala stated that Spolu wants to retain democratic majority in senate. KDU-ČSL would nominate 11 senators overall. ODS nominated 13 candidates and TOP 09 7 candidates.

ANO 2011 launched campaign on 5 September 2022 with party leader Andrej Babiš appealed to voter to make the election a referendum about Petr Fiala's cabinet. Babiš decided to focus his personal campaign to help Jana Nagyová in Jihlava senate district against senate president Miloš Vystrčil believing that Vystčil's defeat would be a huge blow to governing coalition.

Czech Social Democratic Party launched campaign on 11 September 2022. It focused on energy prices, progressive taxation for companies and higher minimal wages.

First round was held on 23 and 24 September 2022. It was a big success for ANO 2011 which had 17 candidates advancing and one being elected in first round. Freedom and Direct Democracy had its candidate advancing to second round for the first time in its history. 3 candidates were elected in the first round including Jiří Růžička, Petr Fiala and Ladislav Václavec. Mayors and Independents suffered heavy losses in the first round with only one candidate advancing. Party lost some of its significant politicians such as Jan Horník, Petr Holeček or Václav Chaloupek who failed to advance for second round. ODS was second most successful party with 9 candidates advancing. KDU-ČSL had 6 candidates advancing and 1 being elected in first round. TOP 09 had 3 candidates advancing and 1 being elected. Overall SPOLU parties had 18 candidates advancing and 2 elected in first round.

ANO 2011 focused campaign for second round largely in Jihlava district. Party leadership went to the district to personally support Nagyová against Vystrčil whose defeat would weaken government coalition.

Results

Elected senators

Aftermath

Election was seen as a huge defeat for ANO 2011 as it won only in 3 districts despite strong showing in first round. It was also noted that Babiš' appeal to make the election a referendum about Petr Fiala's cabinet backfired on him as the governing coalition has won the election. ODS led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala won highest number of seats and won the election. KDU-ČSL was also successful. Mayors and Independents on the other hand suffered heavy losses as it lost 5 of its 6 seats up for election. Czech Social Democratic Party once major left wing party also saw continuation of its decline as it failed to win any seat and was left with only one last Senator after the election.

Jihlava district was most watched district as President of Senate Miloš Vystrčil was defending his seat there and leader of ANO 2011 Andrej Babiš strongly focused on the district. Despite Babiš' personal involvement Vystrčil received 60% against Nagyová's 40% and won by large margin. Notably turnout was much higher than in other districts.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated after election that the result is a success for Spolu. He stated that he is especially pleased with Jihlava district result which he considers personal defeat for Andrej Babiš. He stated that Vystrčil' victory in Jihlava was symbolic stating that Vystrčil face whole power of ANO 2011. Fiala also noted result of his own party ODS which won 8 seats twice more than in 2016. Andrej babiš admitted that the result was a disappointment and noted that some of his candidates lost narrowly. He stated that his party faced "after-November Cartel" in the election. Babiš also stated that despite defeat in Senate election his party won municipal election which was held along with first round.

Analysis

Several political scientists including Terezie Wasserbauerová or Jan Tvrdoň attributed defeat of ANO 2011 in second round to a bad strategy by party leadership which wanted to make the election a referendum about governing coalition and focused campaign in Jihlava district and not in districts where the race was expected to be close. Kamil Švec noted that ANO is losing Senate elections repeatedly in second round. Josef Kopecký stated that election reminded ANO that two round election doesn't help it which is a warning for 2023 Czech presidential election.

References