The Czech opposition party, ANO, is the favorite to win local elections across the country later this month, new polling has found.
According to a survey by the Kantar CZ and Data Collect polling agencies for Czech Television (ČT), the party of former Czech prime minister, Andrej Babiš, is expected to amass up to nearly half of the vote in some regions.
In second place in several regions is Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s “Spolu” coalition comprising his Civic Democratic Party (ODS), KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09.
Support for the ANO movement is strongest in the Moravian-Silesian region in the east of the country where 49.5 percent are expected to vote for the party. Similarly, in neighboring Olomouc, the ANO garnered 45 percent, while in the northwest region of Ústí, Babis’ party enjoys support of 47 percent.
Other regions with high opposition support include Zlín at 43.5 percent and Central Bohemian and Vysočina, both at 41.5 percent.
The party’s support is weakest in the South Bohemian region, with just 13.5 percent of decided voters backing it.
Regional elections in Czechia are due to be held on Sept. 20-21 when all 675 seats in the country’s 13 regional councils are to be contested.
ANO currently holds the most seats of any party with 172, followed by Fiala’s ODS and the Pirates party with 99 seats each.
The next Czech parliamentary election must be held before the end of October 2025.
