Czech regional and Senate polls will boost Babis

Significance Apart from the Pirate Party, parties from the governing coalition managed to hold some ground. The results leave Babis well-positioned for a comeback in next year’s parliamentary elections, although finding willing allies at both regional and national levels will be difficult. Impacts ANO’s growing power in regional governments will give it an important say over education, welfare and infrastructure projects. ANO-led regional administrations will govern pragmatically with mainstream allies wherever possible. There will be some realignment on the political fringes, with the left wing coalescing around the Communist-led Enough! bloc.