2018 Zlín by-election

A by-election for the Zlín Senate seat in the Czech Republic was held on 18 and 19 May 2018 as a result of František Čuba's resignation. The second round was heldr 25 and 26 May 2018.[2] Michaela Blahová and Tomáš Goláň advanced to second round.[3] The election was surprisingly won by Tomáš Goláň. Voter turnout was very low.[4][5][6][7]

2018 Czech senate by-election
18 and 19 May 2018[1]
25 and 26 May 2018
  First party Second party
 
Candidate Tomáš Goláň Michaela Blahová
Party SEN 21 KDU–ČSL
Popular vote 5,991 5,148
Percentage 53.8% 46.2%
Czech Republic
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
the Czech Republic

Background

František Čuba was elected Senator in 2014 as a candidate of the Party of Civic Rights. He was absent in the Seate since 2016 due to his health. He announced on 15 February 2018 that he will resign on his seat.[8] He resigned on 28 February 2018.[9]

Parties started to look for its candidates soon after Čuba announced his intention to resign. ANO 2011 had its candidate chosen at the time of Čuba's resignation but refused to announce his name. Civic Democratic Party was considering possible candidates at the time. Mayors and Independents offered nomination to Mayor of Zlín Miroslav Adámek. Michaela Blahová was speculated as a candidate of the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party. Czech Social Democratic Party expressed intention to have its candidate.[10] Czech Pirate Party decided to find a candidate by publishing an advertisement in local media.[11] Tomáš Goláň announced his candidacy as a candidate of Senátor 21 on 22 March 2018. He stated he wants to prove that Senate is an important part of Czech Constitutional system.[12]

Nine candidates decided to run for the position. Miroslav Adámek was nominated by Mayors and Independents and supported by the Civic Democratic Party and TOP 09. Other candidates included Michaela Blahová nominated by KDU-ČSL, Michal Filip nominated by ANO 2011, Tomáš Goláň nominated by Senátor 21 or Radim Jünger nominated by ČSSD.[13] [14]

Campaign

First Round

Miroslav Adámek was considered front-runner of the election. Michal Filip and Michaela Blahová were considered his main rivals. Tomáš Goláň was also viewed as a strong candidate.[15]

Adámek's campaign cost 300,000 CZK. He published a video spot that received mixed responses and had 15 billboards set up. He refused to have meetings with voters.[16]

Goláň had the most expensive campaign. He had installed 17 billboards and three megaboards. His posters were also on 20 Trolleybuses and three Ticket Autommats. He held summer cinema at Čepkovo.[16] Goláň himself was very active at social media.[14]

Blahová focused on personal campaigning and social media. She also had posters at three bigboards, 50 yachts and 12 billboards.[16]

The first round was held on 18 and 19 May 2018. Michaela Blahová and Tomáš Goláň advanced to second round. Goláň's success was unexpected.[17] Miroslav Adámek admitted that he feels disappointment with his result but accepts it.[18] Michaela Blahová stated that her success might be caused by the fact that she was the only female candidate in the election. She noted she will continue personal campaign.[19] Goláň stated that his advancement to the second round was caused by jis campaign. He noted he will lead more intensive campaign for the second round.[14] Communist Party candidate Rafaja admitted he is disappointed with the result as he expected that he could advance to the second round.[20] Aleš Fuksa thanked Pirate Party for its support.[21]

Second round

Blahová visited bigger towns within the district. It includes Valašské Klobouky, Fryšták or Slušovice. Her campaign was supported by Pavel Fischer. Goláň also led personal campaign in bigger towns. He visited Fryšták, Vizovice, Slušovice, Valašské Klobouky or Zlín. He focused on voters of Miroslav Adámek and Aleš Fuksa. Goláň received endorsement from the Pirate Party.[22] He launched second phase of his campaign on 24 May when he campaigned in Zlín. He concluded his campaign on 25 May when he met citizens at Baťa's institute.[23]

Second round was held on 25 and 26 May 2018. First preliminary results showed candidates tied but Goláň started leading when more votes were counted. Goláň's supporters started celebrating when 70% of votes were counted and Goláň was leading. He eventually received 5,991 votes while Blahová only 5,148.[24]

Campaign finances
CandidatePartyMoney Spent
Tomáš GoláňSenátor 211,000,000 CZK
Michaela BlahováChristian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party750,000 CZK
Miroslav AdámekMayors and Independents300,000 CZK
Michal FilipANO 2011300,000 CZK
Radim JüngerCzech Social Democratic Party300,000 CZK
Aleš FuksaCzech Pirate Party100,000 CZK
Lubomír NečasParty of Civic Rights100,000 CZK
Radomír RafajaCommunist Party of Bohemia and Moravia50,000 CZK
[16]

Candidates
CandidatePartyNotes
Miroslav AdámekMayors and IndependentsMayor of Zlín. Nominated by STAN and supported by the Civic Democratic Party, Freeholder Party of the Czech Republic and TOP 09. He was considered the front-runner.[25][15][26]
Michaela BlahováChristian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's PartyRegional councillor who was a sole female candidate.[27][28]
Michal FilipANO 2011Neurosurgeon and member of regional assembly.[29]
Aleš FuksaCzech Pirate PartyJournalist at Právo who was nominated by Pirates.[30][6]
Tomáš GoláňSenátor 21Tax adviser known for his opposition to politics of Andrej Babiš and fight against financial administration. Deník Referendum chose him as the Second greatest persona of 2017. He was considered outsider in the election.[15][6]
Radim JüngerČSSDSurgeon and traumatologist. He was nominated by Social Democrats.[31]
Lubomír NečasParty of Civic RightsLeader of the Party of Civic Rights he was supported by Freedom and Direct Democracy.[32]
Karel NedbálekCzech SovereigntyLaw and Economical adviser and teacher.[33]
Radomír RafajaCommunist Party of Bohemia and MoraviaCommunist Party local politician from Zlín.[34]
Zdeněk VacekFreedom and Direct DemocracyMember of regional assembly. He was nominated by far right SPD but his party failed to register him in time.[26]

Results
CandidateParty1st round2nd round
Tomáš GoláňSenátor 213,23418.995,99153.78
Michaela BlahováChristian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party4,11824.185,14846.22
Miroslav AdámekMayors and Independents2,78616.36
Michal FilipANO 20112,21112.98
Aleš FuksaCzech Pirate Party1,5599.15
Radim JüngerCzech Social Democratic Party1,2707.45
Radomír RafajaCommunist Party of Bohemia and Moravia8965.26
Lubomír NečasParty of Civic Rights6974.09
Karel NedbálekCzech Sovereignty2541.49
Total valid votes17,02599.3611,13999.62
Invalid votes1090.64420.38
Total17,13410011,181100
Registered voters/turnout107,46015.95107,48810.4
Source:Czech Statistical Bureau[35]

Aftermath

Goláň thanked Blahová for a correct campaign and stated he plans to focus on taxes and opposition to privatisation of some vital resources, including water.[36] Blahová stated she respects the result. She considered her result as a success because no candidate of KDU-ČSL advanced to the second round in previous elections.[37]

Goláň received appointment decree on 19 June 2018. His term will end in 2020.[38] Goláň's victory led to establishment of a new Senate Caucus called Caucus for Liberal Democracy. It consists of independent Senators.[39]

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References
  1. "Čubova nástupce zvolí lidé v květnu". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  2. "Čuba rezignoval na senátorský mandát. Volby musí být do června". iDNES.cz. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  3. "Čubu v Senátu vystřídá Blahová, nebo Goláň. Volební účast byla slabá". iDNES.cz. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  4. "Čubu v Senátu nahradí Goláň, hlasovat přišlo jen deset procent voličů". iDNES.cz. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  5. "Františka Čubu v Senátu nahradí nečekané jméno. Volby na Zlínsku vyhrál Tomáš Goláň, účast byla desetiprocentní". Zlín (in Czech). 26 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  6. "Pavel Stojar: Senátní volby 2018 na Zlínsku: jak vyhrál Tomáš Goláň". denikreferendum.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  7. "Překvapení senátní voleb: Primátor Adámek neuspěl, do druhého kola postupují Blahová a Goláň". Zlín (in Czech). 19 May 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  8. "Čuba rezignuje na mandát. V Senátu nebyl rok a půl". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  9. "Čuba po dlouhé absenci rezignoval na senátní mandát". Zprávy E15.cz. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  10. Zavadilová, Jana (28 February 2018). "Kdo nahradí Čubu v Senátu? Strany zatím jména hledají". Zlínský deník (in Czech). Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  11. "Piráti zveřejní inzerát na místo věčně nepřítomného senátora Čuby". Expres.cz. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  12. "Tomáš Goláň kandiduje do Senátu. Jako první podrobně popsal zneužívání zajišťovacích příkazů Babišem". denikreferendum.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  13. "Adámek chce být senátorem, proti němu ve Zlíně kandidují další tři lékaři". iDNES.cz. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
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  15. "Zlín volí nového senátora, tématy jsou dálnice a zdravotnictví". denikreferendum.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 26 May 2018.
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  19. "Michaela Blahová: Voliče možná nadchlo i to, že jsem byla jediná žena mezi muži". Zlínský deník (in Czech). 19 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  20. "Volby do senátu". zlin.kscm.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  21. "Pirátský kandidát na zlínského senátora Aleš Fuksa skončil pátý". Pirátské Listy. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  22. "Ve Zlíně lidé vybírají senátora, kandidáti si nechtějí navzájem brát voliče". iDNES.cz. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  23. "Nezávislý kandidát do Senátu Tomáš Goláň se chystá na zakončení své kontaktní kampaně". ZlínDnes.cz. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  24. "Lidé rozhodli. Novým senátorem je Tomáš Goláň". Zlin.cz - informační server pro Zlínský kraj. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  25. "ON-LINE rozhovor s primátorem Zlína a kandidátem do Senátu Miroslavem Adámkem". zlinsky.denik.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  26. "Kdo bude senátorem místo Františka Čuby? O místa se uchází čtyři lékaři, SPD nestihla dát přihlášku". Zlín (in Czech). 3 April 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  27. "Kandidátka chce MHD pro seniory a děti zdarma, ale to v Senátu neovlivní". iDNES.cz. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
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  30. "U Pirátů je rozhodnuto. Do boje o původní Čubovo místo vyšlou novináře Fuksu". zlinsky.pirati.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 21 June 2018.
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  33. "Osm mužů a jedna žena. Poslechněte si názory kandidátů, kteří chtějí v Senátu nahradit Františka Čubu". Zlín (in Czech). 18 May 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  34. "Zlín volí do Senátu, Rafaja si věří! - Haló noviny". www.halonoviny.cz. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
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  36. "Nový senátor Tomáš Goláň: Nejsem žádná paní Colombová". Zlínský deník (in Czech). 28 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  37. "Čubu v Senátu nahradí Goláň. Daňový poradce na Zlínsku porazil adeptku lidovců". Blesk.cz. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  38. "Nově zvolený senátor Goláň převzal jmenovací dekret". TÝDEN.cz (in Czech). 19 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  39. televize, Česká. "Obměna na Zlínsku pomohla bezprizorným senátorům. Založili nový klub, předsedou je Láska". ČT24 (in Czech). Retrieved 21 June 2018.
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