[REVISION HISTORY]

2026 Czech Senate election

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2026-08-23 08:15 UTC → 2026-08-25 13:40 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In late July 2026, former Czech Army chief Karel Řehka announced his independent candidacy for the Senate seat in the Plzeň‑město constituency, receiving backing from the STAN movement. His campaign highlighted his military experience and public‑service record. Two days later, internal negotiations among the governing coalition collapsed, leading the coalition parties ANO 2011 and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) to field separate Senate candidates. The Motoristé party initially opted out of the Senate race, redirecting its resources to mayoral contests in Prague, Brno and Ostrava. ~~The first round of Senate voting was scheduled for 9‑10 October, with candidate lists due in early August.~~ On 4 August, Motoristé formally withdrew from the Senate contest, citing a severe shortage of personnel and a strategic focus on building its regional base through municipal elections in three major cities. Party leader Petr Macinka said the group would back ANO and SPD candidates where possible. The withdrawal followed earlier talks on joint Senate candidates that collapsed after ANO decided to run alone in all districts. Motoristé’s sole recent Senate candidate, Boris Šťastný, lost his race in Prague 12, underscoring the party’s dwindling electoral prospects. By 25 August, Motoristé detailed its municipal election strategy, announcing plans to run in 63 municipalities with 1,300 candidates. Party leader Petr Macinka stated the campaign, under the slogan ‘Odvaha jít proti srsti’ (Courage to go against the grain), aims to react to a ‘teflon world’ of overly correct politicians. The party reiterated it will not run Senate candidates where success is unlikely, choosing instead to support ANO and SPD candidates from the first round. By mid-August, TOP 09 outlined its strategy for the election, which involves renewing one-third of the Senate. Matěj Ondřej Havel stated the party aims to prevent a split in the opposition vote to stop ANO or SPD candidates from advancing to the second round. TOP 09 is fielding three candidates, including Zdeněk Šarapatka, who focuses on the independence of public media and democratic institutions. Havel noted the Senate remains a critical chamber where the current government lacks a majority. On 22 August, the Brno-město district (District 60) registered six candidates for the election.

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