Czech coalition grapples with media law dispute as ANO leads polls

A recent Kantar CZ poll for Česká televize shows the governing ANO party ahead with 31.5% of the vote. The opposition parties Starostové a nezávislí (STAN) and ODS each hold around 15.5%, competing for the second place. Six parties – including the junior coalition partners the Motorists – are projected to clear the 5% parliamentary threshold.

Within the governing coalition, a media‑law controversy has emerged. Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř’s proposal to reform public‑media financing drew heavy criticism and over 400 formal comments. Foreign‑Minister Petr Macinka, chair of the Motorists, rejected any move to dismiss Klempíř, stating that only the prime minister could propose such an action under the coalition agreement. The government has given Klempíř until mid‑June to submit a revised draft that would replace the current media‑fee law and shift public‑media financing to the state budget. The dispute highlights tensions between coalition partners as the election campaign intensifies.