2002 Czech Senate election

Senate elections were held in the Czech Republic on 25 and 26 October 2002, with a second round on 1 and 2 November.[1] Voter turnout was just 24.1% in the first round and 31.7% in the second.[2]

2002 Czech Senate election

25–26 October 2002 (first round) 1–2 November 2002 (second round)

First party Second party   Leader Václav Klaus Vladimír Špidla Party ODS ČSSD Seats won 9 7 First round 165,794 24.9% 122,397 18.4% Second round 284,537 34.6% 224,386 27.3%   Third party Fourth party   Leader Miroslav Grebeníček Cyril Svoboda Party KSČM KDU–ČSL Seats won 1 1 First round 110,171 16.5% 58,858 8.8% Second round 57,434 7.0% 47,049 5.7%

The results saw the Civic Democratic Party emerge as the most successful party, winning nine seats. Independent candidates were also successful, winning eight seats. The parties of the former Four-Coalition were heavily defeated.[3]

Electoral system

One third of the 81-member Senate is elected every two years, giving Senators six year terms. The seats are elected in single-member constituencies using the two-round system.[4]

Background

Czech Social Democratic Party held 11 Seats in the elected part of Senate. Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party held second highest number of seats - 6. Both parties were part of governing coalition. Opposition Civic Democratic Party held only 5 Seats. Election was considered important due to 2003 Presidential election. Czech Social Democratic Party was considered front-runner of the election while the Civic Democratic Party was expected to be second strongest party.[5]

Composition of contested seats prior to the elections

Name		Ideology	Leader	Seats
	Czech Social Democratic Party	Social democracy	Vladimír Špidla	11 / 27
	KDU-ČSL	Christian democracy	Cyril Svoboda	6 / 27
	Civic Democratic Party	Conservatism	Václav Klaus	5 / 27
	Civic Democratic Alliance	Liberalism	Jiřina Nováková	3 / 27
	Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia	Communism	Miroslav Grebeníček	1 / 27
	Independents			1 / 27

Opinion polls

Date	Polling firm	ČSSD	KDU-ČSL	ODS	ODA	KSČM	US–DEU
2 November 2002	Result	7	1	9	0	1	1
7 October 2002	SC&C[6]	12	4	4	0	1	1
November 1996	Previous election	11	6	5	3	1	0

Results

Party	First round		Second round		Seats		+/–
	Votes	%	Votes	%	Won	Overall
Civic Democratic Party	165,794	24.9	284,537	34.6	9	26	+4
Czech Social Democratic Party	122,397	18.4	224,386	27.3	7	11	–4
Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia	110,171	16.5	57,434	7.0	1	3	0
KDU-ČSL	58,858	8.8	47,049	5.7	1	15	–4
Freedom Union – Democratic Union	48,879	7.3	36,294	4.4	8	26	+4
Union of Independents	44,112	6.6	45,096	5.5
Independent Candidate	29,776	4.5	36,021	4.4
Independents	27,533	4.1	23,812	2.9
Independents and others	58,935	8.8	67,658	8.2
Invalid/blank votes	7,366	–	35,204	–	–	–	–
Total	673,821	100	857,491	100	27	81	0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p471 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p472
3. "Nezávislí útočí". iDNES.cz. 3 November 2002. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
4. Electoral system IPU
5. "V senátních volbách jde i o prezidenta". iDNES.cz. 18 October 2002. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
6. "Průzkum výsledků senátních voleb". www.kurzy.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 7 May 2018.