ODS wins local polls, most seats go to independent candidates

Prague, Oct 17 (CTK) - The Czech Civic Democrats (ODS) were the most successful out of political parties in the October 15-16 local elections, but the highest number of seats in municipal assemblies was gained by local associations of independent candidates, according to the final statistical data.

Local associations of independent candidates gained over 50 percent of the total of 62,178 seats in local authorities, the Czech Statistical Office (CSU) announced yesterday.

Out of other parties running in the local polls, the Social Democrats (CSSD) finished second, followed by the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL).

The local election turnout of 48.5 percent was record high.

The complete results were available on the CSU's website closely before 7:00 yesterday, that is almost 17 hours after polling stations closed.

The senior government ODS gained 18.8 percent of the vote and 5181 seats. However, it suffered a considerable loss compared to the previous elections, held in 2006.

The CSSD gained more votes but fewer mandates and defeated the ODS in many statutory towns. The Social Democrats received 19.72 percent and 4633 seats.

The centrist KDU-CSL, which was ousted from the lower house in the general election in May, gained some 6 percent and 3897 seats but it lost some 1300 representatives compared to the previous local polls.

The gain of an assembly seat depends on the size of the electorate in the given town. In large towns, more votes are necessary for a party to gain a seat in the municipal assembly.

The CSSD was also the most successful party in the first round of Senate polls in which its 22 candidates advanced to the second round out of the 27 seats contested. The ODS has 19 candidates and TOP 09 five to advance.

The fourth most successful party in the local polls were the opposition Communists (KSCM) with 9.6 percent and 3252 seats.

If only the results in percent were compared, the CSSD would be the most successful party, followed by the ODS whose support considerably decreased mainly in big towns.

In the capital of Prague, the junior ruling TOP 09, established last year, won elections to the City Assembly with 30.2 percent of the vote. The ODS finished second with 23.1 percent and the Social Democrats third with 17.85 percent. Turnout was 44 percent.

In 2006 the ODS had 7113 representatives at town halls, now it is about 2000 fewer. On the other hand the CSSD gained some 270 more seats.

The junior government Public Affairs (VV) gained almost 300 more seats than in 2006, and TOP 09 scored a great success gaining 1580 seats in the local elections.

Moreover, independent candidates (NK) and their associations gained 1000 more seats, while the Communists lost about 1100 mandates, compared to the 2006 polls.

Out of 24 statutory towns, the ODS won only in four, compared to 21 four years ago. The rival CSSD won in 13 statutory towns.

Along with Prague, TOP 09 scored a victory in Zlin, south Moravia. Other parties and movements won in the remaining four statutory towns.

Results of Czech local elections in 2010 compared to 2006:
results according to election parties results according to parties proposing candidates
party polls 2010 votes % polls 2006 votes % mandates 2010 mandates 2006 polls 2010 votes % polls 2006 votes % mandates 2010 mandates 2006
CSSD 19.68 16.63 4584 4332 19.72 16.65 4633 4361
ODS 18.78 36.20 5112 7033 18.83 36.39 5181 7113
NK and localassociations 12.9 9.48 37.192 36.267 17.54 12.23 38.388 37.380
KSCM 9.56 10.79 3185 4267 9.59 10.81 3252 4332
TOP 09 9.46 - 1509 - 9.8 - 1580 -
KDU-CSL 5.47 5.76 3738 5048 5.99 6.93 3897 5186
VV 2.93 0.24 304 15 2.96 0.24 313 15
attendance 48.5 46.38 - - - - - -

Results according to election parties distinguish the gain of votes and mandates both for political parties running individually and for their local coalitions. In results according to the parties proposing candidates, the votes and mandates of these coalitions are included into the overall results of individual political parties and movements,