Czech regional and Senate polls will boost Babis

Significance

Apart from the Pirate Party, parties from the governing coalition managed to hold some ground. The results leave Babis well-positioned for a comeback in next year’s parliamentary elections, although finding willing allies at both regional and national levels will be difficult.

Impacts

• ANO’s growing power in regional governments will give it an important say over education, welfare and infrastructure projects.
• ANO-led regional administrations will govern pragmatically with mainstream allies wherever possible.
• There will be some realignment on the political fringes, with the left wing coalescing around the Communist-led Enough! bloc.