Czech Elections This Weekend in Prague and Beyond

This weekend, the Czech Republic is holding a two-day parliamentary election on October 3–4, 2025. While there’s no separate city election in Prague, the results will have a strong influence on how the capital is governed and on the country’s direction as a whole. In fact, alongside the elections, the city is buzzing with concerts, markets, and exhibitions – see our weekend events guide for ideas on how to enjoy your stay.

Major Players and Stakes

Former prime minister Andrej Babis and his ANO party currently lead the polls, with support hovering around one third of voters. The ruling Spolu coalition, led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, is aiming to hold on but faces challenges after years of inflation and political fatigue.

The issues driving debate are wide-ranging: the Czech Republic’s stance on Ukraine, defense spending, social benefits, immigration, and the country’s future place within the EU and NATO. Because of the proportional system, no single party is expected to win a majority, which means coalition building will be key.

What to Watch in Prague

Even though Prague is not voting on its own city leadership this weekend, the outcome at the national level has a big impact here. From urban development and cultural funding to how Prague aligns with EU standards, national politics shape much of daily life in the capital.

In the 2021 parliamentary elections, Prague stood out from many parts of the country in its voting choices. The city gave stronger support to the Spolu coalition (the liberal/conservative alliance; over 40 %) and to the Pirates + STAN alliance (over 22 %), whereas the ANO party led by Andrej Babis performed more weakly in the capital than elsewhere (only 17 % vs. 27 % total).

While national turnout in 2021 was about 65.4 % of registered voters, Prague’s participation rate was over 70 %. This pattern reflects Prague’s urban, educated, and more pro-EU electorate.

What Happens Next

Polling stations opened on Friday afternoon and will remain open until Saturday at 2 p.m. Local media expect preliminary results by Saturday evening. International observers, including from the OSCE, are monitoring the process to ensure fairness.

Once results are in, the current government will formally step down, and the process of forming a new coalition begins. Smaller parties are likely to play the role of kingmakers, and negotiations could take weeks before a new prime minister is appointed.