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Factbox-Czech election: what you need to know

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 10:57 GMT by ThePrint
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Factbox: Czech Election 2021 – What You Need to Know
Source: ThePrint (World Desk)

The Czech Republic’s 2021 general election, held on 17 November, marked the country’s most significant political shake‑up in two decades. The fact‑box from ThePrint distils the complex electoral landscape into clear bullet points, while its hyperlinks lead to deeper context on the country’s political parties, electoral system, and key figures. Below is a concise yet comprehensive summary of that article, with extra details pulled from the linked pages.

1. Why the election was a “must‑watch”

• Incumbent government collapse: The ruling coalition of Babiš‑led ANO (Action of Dissatisfied Citizens), the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), and the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) was disbanded after the Constitutional Court found the “Cooperation” agreement unconstitutional.
• Corruption scandals: Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, a billionaire former sugar‑company owner, faced fresh accusations of money‑laundering and political financing violations. The scandal eroded public trust and accelerated the decision for a fresh mandate.
• Public mood: Polls indicated voters were disenchanted with the status quo and eager for a change, particularly on issues such as EU relations, immigration, and energy policy.

2. The key political actors

Link: “ANO 2011” – The party’s Wikipedia page explains that ANO was founded in 2011 by Babiš and has positioned itself as a “party of the middle‑class”, emphasizing anti‑bureaucracy and pro‑business policies.

Link: “Civic Democratic Party (ODS)” – The ODS page outlines its long‑standing role as the Czech Republic’s main centre‑right party, historically led by former Prime Minister Václav Klause.

Link: “Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD)” – The SPD page describes its emergence in 2015, its hardline stance on immigration, and its rapid rise in popularity.

Link: “Czech Pirate Party” – The Pirate Party’s page notes its focus on internet freedom, transparency, and progressive taxation.

Link: “Mayors & Independents (STAN)” – The STAN page highlights its origin as a local‑government coalition, now positioned as a pragmatic centrist force.

3. The electoral system at a glance

• Proportional representation in 14 multi‑member constituencies.
• D’Hondt method for seat allocation, with a national 5 % threshold for parties and a 10 % threshold for coalitions.
• Special seats: The top‑scoring candidate in each constituency automatically secures a seat, regardless of overall vote share.
• Seat count: 200 seats in the Chamber of Deputies; a majority requires 101 seats.

Link: “Electoral system in the Czech Republic” – The related article explains the mathematical intricacies of the D’Hondt method and its impact on coalition dynamics.

4. Main campaign themes

1. EU Integration vs. Sovereignty – The Czech electorate remained split between a pro‑EU stance and a desire for greater national autonomy.
2. Immigration & Refugees – A hot‑button issue, especially in the wake of the 2015 refugee crisis.
3. Energy Policy – The energy‑crisis narrative was amplified by rising gas prices and a push for nuclear expansion.
4. Corruption & Transparency – Babiš’s past scandals dominated media coverage and voter sentiment.
5. Economic Growth & Jobs – Promises of tax cuts, reduced bureaucracy, and investment in infrastructure were central to ANO’s platform.

5. Predicted coalition scenarios

• ANO‑led minority coalition – Babiš could attempt a minority government with parliamentary support from smaller parties, notably the Pirate Party or STAN.
• Center‑right coalition – ODS, ANO, and STAN together would surpass the 101‑seat threshold.
• Multi‑party coalition – A broader coalition including ANO, ODS, STAN, and Pirates could offer stability, though ideological differences were significant.
• Opposition bloc – SPD and ČSSD could unite to block a Babiš‑centric government.

Link: “Coalition government in the Czech Republic” – The link details past coalition formations and the challenges of maintaining a stable majority.

6. Key dates & next steps

• Election day: 17 November 2021.
• Post‑election negotiations: Expected to begin immediately, lasting until a coalition agreement is reached.
• New government formation deadline: 31 December 2021, as stipulated by the Czech Constitution.
• Potential snap election: If coalition talks stall, the President could call for a new election within 30 days of the deadline.

7. The president’s role

• Vacant seat: President Petr Pithart had resigned in March 2021; the position is now held by Karel Jánský, a former chief of the state intelligence service.
• Election of new president: The president will be elected by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate in early 2022.
• Influence on coalition: The president’s preference can sway party negotiations, especially when the legislature is fragmented.

Link: “President of the Czech Republic” – The page outlines the presidential powers, including the ability to appoint the prime minister and dissolve parliament.

8. What the results mean

• Babiš keeps power – Despite losing his majority, ANO’s 71 seats enabled Babiš to remain as prime minister, but only through a fragile coalition.
• Fragmentation of the political landscape – No single party can dominate; coalition building will become even more crucial.
• Rise of populism – SPD’s performance reflects a broader European trend of right‑wing populist gains.
• Implications for EU policy – The Czech government’s stance on EU reforms will shape the country’s role in Brussels, especially on fiscal governance and migration policy.

9. Final take‑away

The Czech Republic’s 2021 election underscored the volatility of its post‑communist democracy. With a fragmented parliament and a leader still tainted by corruption allegations, the country faces a precarious political future. Whether the electorate’s appetite for change will translate into a lasting coalition remains to be seen.

Further Reading (via internal links)

• “Czech Republic” – A concise overview of the country’s geography, economy, and political system.
• “Andrej Babiš” – In‑depth look at the former sugar‑industrialist’s rise to power and subsequent controversies.
• “Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD)” – History of the party’s evolution from the former communist youth wing to today’s centre‑left force.

These linked articles provide richer context for understanding the forces shaping Czech politics, offering readers a deeper dive into the personalities and parties highlighted in ThePrint’s fact‑box.