Czech parliamentary elections test country’s alignment with EU and NATO

Czechs will head to the polls in a parliamentary election that could reshape the country’s political future. The vote will show whether Czechia remains closely tied to the European Union and NATO or leans toward Moscow.

Polling stations across Prague and the country will open at 2pm local time as citizens choose all 200 members of the lower house. Voting runs through to Saturday, with parties needing at least 5% of the vote to enter parliament under the proportional system.

The frontrunner is 71-year-old billionaire and former prime minister Andrej Babiš. His populist ANO party runs on tax cuts, higher wages, and ending support for Ukraine’s membership bid. However, despite leading in polls, ANO is unlikely to win a majority, making coalition talks crucial.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s pro-Western Spolu coalition pushes for continued alignment with the EU and NATO. On the fringes, far-right SPD seeks an EU exit referendum, while far-left Stačilo opposes NATO and rejects military aid to Kyiv. Smaller parties including the Pirates, STAN, and Motorists for Themselves could influence coalition outcomes.

Polls put ANO at roughly 30–32%, Spolu at about 20%. The election outcome will shape the next government, with preliminary counts expected Saturday afternoon and near-complete results later on 4 October.

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