Czech voters cast ballots in municipal and Senate elections on Saturday, delivering the first major electoral test for Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's coalition since it took power last year. With counting underway, Babiš's ANO party appeared poised to gain several Senate seats, while the Christian Democrats led early municipal results, benefiting from strongholds in southern Moravia. The elections cover local councils nationwide and 27 of the Senate's 81 seats. Opposition parties currently control the upper chamber, allowing them to delay legislation proposed by the government. The vote follows growing political tensions between Babiš's government and the opposition, including a parliamentary no-confidence challenge in September. President Petr Pavel returned from a vacation in Morocco to vote after facing criticism over his planned absence. Municipal results are expected by Sunday, while Senate constituencies without an outright winner will hold runoffs on October 16–17.
