Czech Opposition Scores Big in Senate Election Boost for Babis

Former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis' opposition party won significant seats in the Senate elections, securing eight of 27 contested seats. This marks a notable triumph for Babis' ANO party ahead of next year's parliamentary elections. The ruling coalition of Prime Minister Petr Fiala still holds a Senate majority.

The main Czech opposition group, led by former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis, secured a critical victory by winning eight of the 27 seats contested in the recent Senate elections.

This win marks the first time Babis' centrist ANO movement has achieved such a significant number of seats in the chamber. The ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, however, managed to retain its majority in the Senate.

Babis' ANO party, already the most popular in the country, is now poised for next year's parliamentary elections, raising its stakes for a higher political influence.

Despite these gains by the opposition, the current Czech government remains firmly supportive of Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, providing military aid and hosting 320,000 Ukrainian refugees.

(With inputs from agencies.)