Kristina Lowe

 

The Czech Republic will hold parliamentary elections on 3–4 October 2025. Political parties are adjusting their messages, filling the media with ads and debates, and putting up campaign posters across the country. The results of the upcoming election will influence the next government’s approach to economic recovery, energy policy, and support for Ukraine. This report reviews the pre-election situation, covering major party themes, campaign visibility, polling trends, and left–right dynamics.

The campaign is once again dominated by familiar politicians, most notably Andrej Babiš and his ANO political movement.[1] While the political actors are largely the same, the agenda has shifted in response to the pressures most felt by voters.

Founded by billionaire Andrej Babiš, who has led it since 2011, ANO (meaning Yes) remained the largest party in the Chamber of Deputies with 71 seats despite being voted out of government in 2021.[2] Ahead of the October elections, ANO is prioritizing tax cuts, opposition to household and transport emission permits, and raising teachers’ average salaries to CZK 75,000 by 2029.[3] This message resonates strongly with voters amid high inflation, ongoing energy market volatility, and widespread concern over living costs in the Czech Republic. The party’s main campaign themes emphasize “…economic self-sufficiency, criticism of the Green Deal and Migration Pact, and the defense of national interests within the EU.”[4] Polls currently indicate that ANO and its leader Andrej Babiš are likely to regain control.[5]

SPOLU (Together) is a center-right coalition headed by Petr Fiala, the current Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. In 2021, SPOLU won the parliamentary election with 27.79% of the vote.[6] SPOLU’s program pledges to modernize the army, raise defense spending, and defend Czech interests in the EU, including keeping combustion engine production.[7] It also commits to stable funding for security forces and continued support for Ukraine.[8] This campaign message could appeal to voters by presenting SPOLU as a safe and reliable choice. Modernizing the army and raising defense spending signals security and preparedness amid the war in nearby Ukraine.

According to political analysts, Fiala is positioning himself as the leading opponent of ANO leader Andrej Babiš, suggesting that other parties are unlikely to pose a serious threat.[9]

Beyond the two main blocs, several parties are competing for influence. Tomio Okamura’s far-right SPD campaigns on strict anti-immigration policies, opposition to EU integration, and advocates ending Czech military aid to Ukraine,[10] appealing to nationalist and protest voters. Meanwhile, the Piratí (Pirates) support stronger national and European defense, aid for Ukraine, and higher defense spending.[11] They also emphasize digitalization, transparency, and green policies.[12] Furthermore, STAN, the Mayors and Independents, is a liberal, pro-European party on the centrist to center-right spectrum, currently part of the ruling coalition.[13] Priorities include innovation, euro adoption, fairer taxes, and progressive social policies.[14] The Social Democrats, Communists, and other small parties remain weak, yet may influence a divided parliament.

As the election nears, Czech towns and cities are crowded with campaign posters, rallies, and billboards. Both ANO and SPOLU have invested heavily in campaign presence, ensuring their logos and slogans dominate major streets and squares. Their leaders tour the regions, holding rallies and town-hall events that receive regular media coverage. Smaller parties such as SPD, the Pirates, and STAN are less present in public spaces. They rely more on community meetings and smaller public appearances to spread their message and build support. Digital campaigning is also widespread, with parties relying on social media and online platforms to target younger and undecided voters. However, an online presence also poses the risk of disinformation being spread, a tactic that was used in the 2023 presidential election when “….a fabricated video appeared in which then-presidential candidate Petr Pavel spoke about dragging the Czech Republic into the war in Ukraine.”[15] Overall, digital tools remain important, but traditional campaigning and media narratives still shape voter perceptions.

Polls consistently show Andrej Babiš’s ANO leading at around 31%.[16] SPOLU follows in second place with 20% of voters support.[17] Furthermore, SPD stands at 12%, STAN at 11%, and Piratí at 10%, with other small parties polling between 2% and 7%.[18] With no party close to a majority, coalition bargaining after the vote is inevitable. This means the next government will depend less on who wins and more on which alliances can be formed. The competition is about more than votes; it is also about positioning as a viable coalition partner.

       Czech politics is increasingly polarized. Pro-EU centrist and center-right parties like SPOLU highlight stability, NATO alignment, and consistent governance. Opposing them are the populist and nationalist forces, primarily represented by ANO and SPD. Babís continues to shift further right, incorporating economic populism with nationalist rhetoric that challenges EU climate and migration policies.[19] Additionally, SPD emphasizes anti-immigration and anti-EU positions while rejecting support for Ukraine.[20] Together, ANO and SPD define the main actors on the right.

Meanwhile, traditional left parties such as the Social Democrats and Communists face ongoing difficulties in surpassing the parliamentary threshold. This leaves the Czech political landscape shaped largely by the competition between pro-EU center-right actors and a populist-nationalist right, while the traditional left struggles to remain relevant.

Beyond electoral rivalries, major issues continue to shape media coverage. For voters, the economy is a priority, shaped by inflation, high energy costs, and pressure on incomes. Foreign policy, particularly support for Ukraine, is divided. While governing parties defend it, ANO and SPD show skepticism. The campaign is also marked by concerns over media freedom and disinformation, which influence how voters receive and trust political messages.[21]

The October 2025 election will determine not only the balance of power in parliament but also the direction of Czech policy on the economy, energy, and foreign affairs. With ANO leading in the polls, SPOLU positioning as its main challenger, and smaller parties competing for influence, coalition negotiations are expected. Voters face a choice between continuity under pro-EU center-right actors or a shift toward a more populist, nationalist agenda. Amid growing competition and polarization, the direction of the next Czech government will depend on coalition-building once the votes are cast. Whichever path emerges, the 2025 Parliamentary election is set to reshape Czech politics and influence the country’s role in Europe for years to come.

 

Bibliography

Dolezal, Krystof. “Why Trouble Is Brewing in the Czech Republic | Journal of Democracy.” Journal of Democracy, September 2025. https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclusive/why-trouble-is-brewing-in-the-czech-republic/.

Ferenčík , Jakub. “ANO Outlines Election Priorities.” Radio Prague International, 23 Aug.  2025, https://english.radio.cz/ano-outlines-election-priorities-8860633.

Ferenčík, Jakub. “Spolu Wants to Continue Modernizing the Army and Increasing Defense Spending.” Radio Prague International, September 9, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/spolu-wants-continue-modernizing-army-and-increasing-defense-spending-8862216.

Liboreiro, Jorge. “EU Liberals Dealt a New Blow after Babiš Pulls out His Seven MEPs.” euronews. euronews.com, June 21, 2024. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/21/eu-liberals-dealt-a-new-blow-after-czechias-andrej-babis-pulls-out-his-seven-meps?.

Macková, Alena, Marta Fialová, and Václav Štětka. “Nová Média Jako Nástroj Politické Kampaně v České Republice: Případová Studie Krajských a Senátních Voleb 2012.” Politologický Časopis – Czech Journal of Political Science 20, no. 4 (2013): 507–25. https://doi.org/10.5817/pc2013-4-507.

POLITICO. “Czech Republic,” November 2, 2019. https://www.politico.eu/europe-poll-of-polls/czech-republic/.

Radio Prague International. “ANO Party,” August 19, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/ano-party-8860231.

Radio Prague International. “Mayors and Independents (STAN),” August 19, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/mayors-and-independents-stan-8860239.

Radio Prague International. “Pro-Russian Disinformation Threatens Czech Elections,” January 17, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/pro-russian-disinformation-threatens-czech-elections-8840243.

Reuters, rl. “Czech Largest Opposition Party Widens Lead before October Election.” Tvpworld.com. Telewizja Polska S.A, September 15, 2025. https://tvpworld.com/88929727/czech-republic-babis-party-ano-widens-lead-before-october-election.

Zeplatal, Adam. “Runners and Riders: The Parties Fighting to Get into the Czech Parliament This October.” Brno Daily, September 19, 2025. https://brnodaily.com/2025/08/01/news/politics/runners-and-riders-the-parties-fighting-to-get-into-the-czech-parliament-this-october/.

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[1] Reuters, rl. “Czech Largest Opposition Party Widens Lead before October Election.” Tvpworld.com. Telewizja Polska S.A, September 15, 2025. https://tvpworld.com/88929727/czech-republic-babis-party-ano-widens-lead-before-october-election.

[2] Zapletal, Adam . “Runners and Riders: The Parties Fighting to Get into the Czech Parliament This October.” BRNO Daily , July 2025, https://tvpworld.com/88929727/czech-republic-babis-party-ano-widens-lead-before-october-election.

[3] Ferenčík , Jakub. “ANO Outlines Election Priorities.” Radio Prague International, 23 Aug. 2025, https://english.radio.cz/ano-outlines-election-priorities-8860633.

[4] Radio Prague International. “ANO Party,” August 19, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/ano-party-8860231.

[5] Dolezal, Krystof. “Why Trouble Is Brewing in the Czech Republic | Journal of Democracy.” Journal of Democracy, September 2025. https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclusive/why-trouble-is-brewing-in-the-czech-republic/.

[6] Zapletal, Adam. “Runners and Riders: The Parties Fighting to Get into the Czech Parliament This October.” Brno Daily, August 2025.

[7] Ferenčík, Jakub. “Spolu Wants to Continue Modernizing the Army and Increasing Defense Spending.” Radio Prague International, September 9, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/spolu-wants-continue-modernizing-army-and-increasing-defense-spending-8862216.

[8] Ferenčík, Jakub. “Spolu Wants to Continue Modernizing the Army and Increasing Defense Spending.” Radio Prague International, September 9, 2025.

[9] Ferenčík, Jakub. “Fiala’s Spolu Coalition Bets on Foreign Policy to Win Upcoming Parliamentary Elections.” Radio Prague International, 4 Jan. 2025, english.radio.cz/fialas-spolu-coalition-bets-foreign-policy-win-upcoming-parliamentary-elections-8839000.

[10] Zapletal, “Runners and Riders,” Brno Daily, Aug. 2025.

[11] Zapletal, “Runners and Riders,” Brno Daily, Aug. 2025.

[12] Zapletal, “Runners and Riders,” Brno Daily, Aug. 2025.

[13] Radio Prague International. “Mayors and Independents (STAN),” August 19, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/mayors-and-independents-stan-8860239.

[14] Radio Prague International. “Mayors and Independents (STAN),” August 19, 2025.

[15] Radio Prague International. “Pro-Russian Disinformation Threatens Czech Elections,” January 17, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/pro-russian-disinformation-threatens-czech-elections-8840243.

[16] POLITICO. “Czech Republic,” November 2, 2019. https://www.politico.eu/europe-poll-of-polls/czech-republic/.

[17] POLITICO. “Czech Republic,” November 2, 2019.

[18] POLITICO. “Czech Republic,” November 2, 2019.

[19] Liboreiro, Jorge. “EU Liberals Dealt a New Blow after Babiš Pulls out His Seven MEPs.” euronews. euronews.com, June 21, 2024. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/21/eu-liberals-dealt-a-new-blow-after-czechias-andrej-babis-pulls-out-his-seven-meps?.

[20] Zapletal, “Runners and Riders,” Brno Daily, Aug. 2025.

[21] Radio Prague International. “Pro-Russian Disinformation Threatens Czech Elections,” January 17, 2025.