Prague, Oct 8 (CTK) – The success of ANO in the regional and Senate polls will not have a significant impact of the Czech coalition government of the Social Democrats (CSSD), ANO and Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL), but it will sharpen relations in it, political analysts addressed by CTK agreed yesterday.
The last year of its governing will be marked by election battles and sharp clashes, the said.
Political scientists also commented on the election fiasco of the Communists (KSCM) and a partial success of the populist anti-immigration coalition of the Freedom and Direct Democracy and Citizens Rights Party (SPD-SPO) led by Tomio Okamura.
They say they expected a lower turnout than four years ago since the elections lacked a mobilising issue.
ANO of billionaire businessman Andrej Babis was a clear election winner, leading in nine of the 13 regions contested, while te Social Democrats lost their dominant position in the regions. The CSSD won only in two regions, while the Christian Democrats won in one.
The three coalition parties also have the most candidates advancing to next weekend’s runoffs for 27 seats in the 81-seat Senate, while ANO has the absolutely highest number of them (14).
Turnout was one-third of eligible voters.
After the regional coalitions are formed, a permanent election campaigning will start in the Chamber of Deputies, along with a stormy period in the government, political analyst Jan Kubacek said .
“The government will continue, but its cohabitation will be much more complicated and tense,” Kubacek told CTK.
The CSSD is expected to be more aggressive and conflicting that so far, he added.
Political expert Josef Mlejnek is also of the view that the election results will worsen relations in the coalition since it is apparent that the main rivals on the political scene are ANO and the CSSD.
“If the CSSD wants to succeed in parliamentary elections next year, it must work harder and be more visible on the nationwide level,” Mlejnek said.
Political analyst Pavel Saradin is of the view that ANO will undoubtedly use its high election gains to push through its opinions in the government coalition.
Political scientist Tomas Lebeda said in public Czech Television (CT) that the election winner, ANO, gained the lowest share of the vote in history. “Twenty percent is a success, but we were used to a stronger victory,” he said.
At the same time, the election results of mainstream parties are the worst in history, he added.
Lebeda also pointed to the fiasco of the left wing, primarily the opposition Communists (KSCM). They gained almost a half of their results in the regional polls four years ago.
Kubacek says part of the voters traditionally supporting the Communists voted for regional parties or ANO. “It has long turned out that up to one-fifth of KSCM voters are willing to support Babis and his ANO,” he added.
Saradin says the Communists are the main election loser.
Political analysts expressed surprise at the success of Tomio Okamura’s SPD-SPO coalition that entered the assemblies of most regions, according to preliminary results.
Mlejnek says Okamura as a leader is attractive for some voters.
“Out of the anti-immigration parties, he was visible, he had means that he invested in a campaign,” Mlejnek said.
The situation after the regional elections is extremely fragmented and it will be difficult to form regional coalitions, Lebeda said.
“They may be formed after all, but they will be reshuffling during the four-year term. It will not be a stable period for regional offices,” Lebeda said.
hol/dr
