Czechs to decide whether ČSSD will keep governing in regions

Prague, Oct 11 (CTK) - The elections to the regional assemblies and the first round of the elections to one-third of the Senate will be held in the Czech Republic on October 12-13 when Czechs will decide whether the Social Democrats (CSSD) will keep governing in all regions.

Moreover, the CSSD has a chance of restoring its majority in in the Senate, the upper house of parliament.

The elections will traditionally test the public satisfaction with the regional governments as well as the national government and voters may also influence the parties' internal affairs and the position of their leaders.

The left wing, primarily the CSSD, calls the elections a referendum on the future of the centre-right coalition government of Petr Necas (Civic Democrats, ODS), comprising the ODS, TOP 09 and LIDEM.

The CSSD used the same tactic ahead of the previous elections four years ago though the regional polls do not have a direct impact on the government.

The right wing, headed by the senior ruling ODS, in its campaign focuses on the criticism of the regions' financial management, including problems with the drawing of subsidies from European funds, which surfaced mainly in northwest Bohemia.

Moreover, the government parties along with regional opposition groups point to dubious regional orders, which culminated in the case of the former CSSD Central Bohemia regional governor and deputy David Rath.

Rath was caught red-handed with seven million crowns, a suspected bribe, in May, and accused of corruption linked to several public orders in the regions.

The CSSD scored a crushing victory in the previous regional polls in 2008 and is now governing in all regions, except for Prague. The Social Democrats mainly replaced the ODS regional governors.

Besides, the CSSD will defend 280 mandates in regional assemblies, that is two-fifths of seats.

The ODS, which lost 111 mandates, would like to win more in the upcoming elections to increase the current number of 180 seats.

The KSCM would like to remain the third strongest party like four years ago when it won 114 mandates.

The Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) gained 56 posts of regional assemblymen in the previous polls.

The CSSD is now governing with a silent or open support of the Communists in five regiona, in another four it formed a coalition with the ODS or the KDU-CSL.

The ODS succeeded in defending its bastion Prague where elections to the municipal assembly are held along with local polls. They are scheduled for 2014.

Other parties have nothing to lose in the upcoming regional elections, mainly the government TOP 09, established only three years ago, and the former government Public Affairs (VV), now in opposition.

The regional elections are also a good opportunity for various local groups.

A total of 68 political parties and movements are running in the regional elections, and over 11,300 candidates, which is about one-third more than in the previous elections.

Many of the parties run in various ad-hoc coalitions. Consequently, there is a record number of 93 election groupings. However, only 15 parties and movements run in all 13 regions.

This year, the CSSD lost its majority of 41 seats in the 81-seat upper house after senators Jirina Rippelova, Vladimir Dryml and Miroslav Krejca left the party and its senator group.

The CSSD is defending its victory in six of the 27 constituencies contested. It would have to win in eight at least to restore its majority in the Senate.

Nevertheless, non-government parties will definitely have a majority in the upper house, regardless of the election results.

The ODS's situation is quite difficult after senator Petr Pakosta left it. If the party did not defend any of its 14 mandates, it would have only 11 senators.

Moreover, the ODS would have to win in another nine constituencies to have a majority in the Senate but only if the CSSD did not defend any seat, which is not probable.

TOP 09 and STAN (Mayors and Independents) must defend three of their five mandates to preserve their senator group.

The Christian Democrats, who are defending three of their seven mandates, must win at least in one constituency to keep their senator group.

The Communists are defending one of their two senator's seats.

The Severocesi.cz movement is not defending any of its two seats in the weekend elections.

The regional polls along with the first round of the Senate elections, will start at 14:00 on Friday and the polling stations will close at 22:00. The elections will continue at 8:00-14:00 on Saturday.

The second round of the Senate elections will be held a week later.