2020 Czech regional elections

Elections to regional councils in the Czech Republic in 13 regions (except Prague) will be held on 2-3 October 2020.[1]

2020 Czech regional elections

2–3 October 2020[1]

First party Second party Third party   Leader Andrej Babiš Jan Hamáček Vojtěch Filip Party ANO ČSSD KSČM Last election 176 seats 125 seats 86 seats   Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party   Leader Petr Fiala Marian Jurečka Tomio Okamura Party ODS KDU–ČSL SPD Last election 76 seats 42 seats 32 seats

Chairman of Regional Association before election Jiří Běhounek (acting)[2] ČSSD Elected Chairman of Regional Association TBD

Background

ANO 2011 has won previous election. Czech Social Democratic Party saw heavy losses and came second.[3] 2017 Czech legislative election resulted in another victory of ANO 2011 while Social Democrats were reduced to 6th place. Traditional main right wing party Civic Democratic Party finished second followed by Czech Pirate Party and Freedom and Direct Democracy.[4] Civic Democrats and Pirates has since then competed for the position of the main opposition party.[5]

TOP 09 and Mayors and Independents negotiated about possible electoral alliance but in December 2019 negotiations failed and parties decided to cooperate only in some regions..[6] In February 2020 the Civic Democratic Party and TOP 09 in Plzeň region agreed to cooperate in Plzeň region allowing TOP 09 candidates to run on the Civic Democratic Party list.[7] Similar agreements were made in Pardubice Region and Moravian-Silesian Region in which ODS allowed TOP 09 to run on its list.[8][9] ODS also formed electoral alliance with KDU-ČSL in Karlovy Vary Region[10] and with STAn and Eastern Bohemians in Hradec Králové Region.[11]

Czech Pirate Party formed in March 2020 an electoral alliance with Mayors an Independents for Olomouc region. Pirate Party decided to not form electoral alliance in other regions.[12]

Tricolour Citizens' Movement formed coalitions with Svobodní and Freeholder Party of the Czech Republic in most regions. It is the first electoral test for the Party that formed in 2019.[13]

Election lists were to be submitted no later than on 28 July 2020. 207 lists were submittted with largest portion in Moravian-Silesian Region and South Bohemian Region.[14]

COVID-19 pandemic

Main article: COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic

Election would be held during COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020 it was reported that people in quarantine would be unable to vote. Opposition parties largely criticised that people would be limited on their right to vote.[15] This led government to prepare laws to enable quarantined people to vote. It introduced 4 possibilities - drive-through voting, voting through representative, special electoral commission that would come to affected people and formation of special electoral districts.[16] Minister of Interior and leader of ČSSD stated that Parliament should accept all possibilities. TOP 09, STAN and Pirates decided to support only Drive-through voting and special electoral districts. ODS decided to support Drive-through voting, special electoral commissions but opposed possibility of voting through representative.[17]

Campaign

ANO 2011

Party is running alone in all regions. The party decided to put many MPs on its lists.[18] ANO is viewed as the front-runner. It has 5 Governors and highest number of seats in regional councils. According to a poll conducted for ANO 2011 the party would win in most regions with Central Bohemia and Liberec region as the only regions in which ANO wouldn't win.[19]

Civic Democratic Party (ODS)

Martin Kupka became electoral manager of ODS for regional elections. He is also running for the position of Central Bohemian Governor. Other Governor Candidates include Martin Červíček former Police President, Martin Kuba and Jiří Nantl. ODS is running with other smaller parties in some regions. Kupka admitted that the Campaign of ODS is influenced by 2020 coronavirus outbreak in the Czech Republic as restrictions delayed launch of the Campaign and cause it to be focused more on Social media.[20]

ODS launched campaign on 24 June 2020 with slogan "Let's put Czechia on Feet."[21]

Czech Pirate Party (Piráti)

Pirate Party launched campaign on 22. June 2020.[22] It runs under slogan Chance to change the Future. The party is running without cooperation with other Parties. Only in Olomouc region Pirates run in coalition with Mayors and Independents.[23]

Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD)

Michal Hašek became electoral manager of ČSSD on 23 April 2020. He was chosen by the leader of the Party Jan Hamáček.[24]Party holds Governor seats in 5 of 12 regions. Ivana Stráská, Jiří Běhounek, Martin Netolický and Jiří Štěpán seeks reelection while Josef Bernard decided to not run for another term as a Candidate of ČSSD[20][25] and instead runs as a Candidate of STAN.[26] The Party decided to form electoral Coalitions in regions to mitigate expected losses.[27] According to a poll conducted by ČSSD the party would fail to cross 5% threshold in 10 of 13 regions.[28] ČSSD formed electoral alliances in Pardubice, Hradec Králové, Moravian-Silesian and Ústí nad Labem regions.[29] The party also has to face Challenges from parties that split off the Party including Change 2020 led by Jiří Zimola in South Bohemia,[30] Idealists.cz in South Moravia and other regions.[31]

ČSSD launched Campaign on 26 June 2020. Campaign was launched via digital streaming due to 2020 coronavirus outbreak.[32] Campaign uses slogan "People First, campaign later."[33]

On 4 July 2020 leadership ČSSD rejected rejected electoral alliance with smaller parties in Ústí nad Labem region called Better North. Leaders of regional organisation state despite decision of Party's leadership they plan to continue with the project. They stated taht party leadership didn't tell reasons for the decision and they will want to hear it if they have to respect the decision.[34] This led to a split when party leadership decided to submit its own list in Ústí nad Labem region without consulting Ústí nad Labem region regional organisation. Candidates on the list included former MP Jaroslav Krákora or controversial politician Petr Benda who previously ran as a candidate of National Socialists - Left of the 21st century and Workers' Party of Social Justice (DSSS). This list is supported by For Sport movement. Leader of Ústí nad Labem regional organisation Miroslav Andrt stated that it was unimaginable leadership in Prague ignore democratics princips in the Party. Regional organisation decided to submit its list Better North to run against ČSSD in the region and ČSSD members on the list suspended their membership in the party.[35] Nomination of Petr Benda was largely criticised due to his previous affiliation with Neo-Nazi DSSS.[36]

Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD)

Freedom and Direct Democracy aims to win 50 seeats and participate in governing of at least 2 regions. Election motto is "honest and working people first and must get more money, safety and justice." Campaign was launched on 11 July 2020.[37]

TOP 09

TOP 09 campaign uses slogan "Lets move with it." Party decided to form electoral coalitions with other parties in every Region.[38]

Tricolour Citizens' Movement (THO)

Tricolour Citizens' Movement runs for its first major election. The party formed coalitions with Freeholder Party of the Czech Republic, Svobodní and INDEPENDENTS. Leaders of the party plan to ride through the Country in a Van to Campaign for the Party.[13]

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats
	ANO 2011
	Civic Democratic Party and allies Civic Democratic Party ODS and TOP 09[lower-alpha 1] ODS and KDU-ČSL{{efn|In KarlMayors and Personas KDU-ČSL[lower-alpha 2] ODS, STAN and Eastern Bohemians[lower-alpha 3] ODS, STAN and Mayors for Citizens[lower-alpha 4] ODS with support of Freeholders[lower-alpha 5]
	Czech Pirate Party
	Freedom and Direct Democracy
	Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia
	Czech Social Democratic Party and allies Czech Social Democratic Party 3PK - For Prosperous Pardubice[lower-alpha 6] ČSSD with support of For Sport[lower-alpha 7] ČSSD and Greens[lower-alpha 8] ČSSD and Patriots[lower-alpha 9]
	KDU-ČSL and allies KDU-ČSL Coalition for Hradec Králové Region[lower-alpha 10] Coalition for Plzeň Region[lower-alpha 11] Coalition for Pardubice Region[lower-alpha 12] KDU-ČSL, Green Party, TOP 09 and ForOlomouc[lower-alpha 13]
	TOP 09 and allies TOP 09 TOP 09, Hradec Králové Democratic Club and Liberal-Environmental Party[lower-alpha 14] Together for Moravia[lower-alpha 15]
	Mayors and Independents and allies Mayors and Independents STAN, KDU-ČSL and SNK ED[lower-alpha 16] STAN and Piráti[lower-alpha 17] STAN, Independents and Green Party[lower-alpha 18] Mayors for Liberec Region[lower-alpha 19][lower-alpha 20]
	Tricolour Citizens' Movement and allies Tricolour Citizens' Movement Tricolour, Freeholders and INDEPENDENTS [lower-alpha 21]
	Better North
Invalid/blank votes			–	–
Total			100
Registered voters/turnout				–
Source:

References

1. "Krajské a senátní volby se budou konat 2. a 3. října". Česká televize. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
2. http://www.asociacekraju.cz/akcr/rada-akcr/mudr-jiri-behounek/ (in Czech)
3. televize, Česká. "Krajské volby vyhrálo hnutí ANO, sociální demokraté ztratili vedení sedmi krajů". ČT24 - Nejdůvěryhodnější zpravodajský web v ČR - Česká televize (in Czech). Retrieved 18 January 2020.
4. "Volby 2017 ONLINE: Konečné výsledky voleb". Blesk.cz. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
5. Zlámalová, Lenka (4 April 2019). "Souboj o přízeň tažných koní. ODS a Piráti se spolu přetahují o voliče všech generací". www.echo24.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 18 January 2020.
6. "Spolupráce STAN a TOP 09 před krajskými volbami krachuje, nebude ani ve středu Čech". Aktuálně.cz - Víte, co se právě děje (in Czech). 16 December 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
7. "Novou koaliční kandidátku povede Ilona Mauritzová". Plzeňský deník (in Czech). 18 February 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
8. Roztočilová, Pavlína (13 March 2020). "TOP 09 a ODS půjdou do krajských voleb společně". Pardubický deník (in Czech). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
9. Bennetová, Karolína (4 May 2020). "ODS půjde do krajských voleb s TOP 09. Kandidátku povede Jakub Unucka". Moravskoslezský deník (in Czech). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
10. "Politici spřádají koalice do krajských voleb, ohlašují první lídry". iDNES.cz. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
11. "ODS: Do voleb v Královéhradeckém kraji jdeme společně se STAN a Východočechy – ODS". Občanská demokratická strana (in Czech). Retrieved 4 June 2020.
12. "Piráti budou v krajských volbách kandidovat v Olomouckém kraji spolu se Starosty a nezávislými". Deník N (in Czech). 6 March 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
13. "Trikolóra jde do krajských voleb se Svobodnými i Soukromníky". www.novinky.cz. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
14. "Kandidátek do podzimních krajských i senátních voleb je méně než minule". iDNES.cz. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
15. "Zastihnou vás volby v karanténě? Přijdete o právo volit - Seznam Zprávy". www.seznamzpravy.cz. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
16. "Ať lidé v karanténě volí z auta či prostřednictvím zástupce, navrhl Hamáček". iDNES.cz. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
17. "Čtyři varianty pro volby v karanténě: lidé by mohli volit z auta nebo vyslat zástupce". Aktuálně.cz - Víte, co se právě děje (in Czech). 28 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
18. "ANO sází pro krajské volby i na poslance. Kumulace funkcí už nevadí". www.seznamzpravy.cz. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
19. "ANO si koupilo zprávu, jak vyhrát volby". www.seznamzpravy.cz. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
20. "Krajské volby: Koronavirus zbrzdil volební kampaně stran". Blesk.cz. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
21. "Chceme zaútočit, změnit vedení krajů a bránit Senát, řekl šéf ODS Fiala". iDNES.cz. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
22. Perknerová, Kateřina (22 June 2020). "Piráti zahájili kampaň. Chtějí měnit budoucnost a vyhrát aspoň ve dvou krajích". Deník.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 24 June 2020.
23. "Za Piráty do Senátu kandiduje Koky, který se pokusí zvýšit zastoupení Romů". iDNES.cz. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
24. "ČSSD povede do voleb někdejší místopředseda Michal Hašek". iDNES.cz. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
25. "Hejtman Bernard potvrdil odchod z ČSSD". www.novinky.cz. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
26. "Bernard je lídrem STAN v krajských volbách. Rok chystaná šaráda, říká Hamáček". iDNES.cz. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
27. Mazancová, Hana (14 May 2020). "ČSSD se snaží zastavit pád na úplné dno. Dříve sebevědomý suverén jde do krajských voleb v koalicích". Deník N (in Czech). Retrieved 10 June 2020.
28. "Průzkum ČSSD: prošla by jen ve třech krajích - Novinky.cz". www.novinky.cz. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
29. "ČSSD se vzdala své značky i v Ústí". www.novinky.cz. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
30. "Exhejtman Zimola představil Změnu 2020". www.novinky.cz. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
31. "Výzva pro ČSSD zleva: Idealisté a Budoucnost". www.novinky.cz. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
32. "Hamáček ve svetru, spolustraníci v tričku. Nejdřív lidé, poté kampaň, zahájila ČSSD". Aktuálně.cz - Víte, co se právě děje (in Czech). 26 June 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
33. "ČSSD využila slogan soukromé firmy. Mohli se aspoň zeptat, říká její zakladatel". Aktuálně.cz - Víte, co se právě děje (in Czech). 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
34. "Vedení ČSSD nechce společnou kandidátku v Ústeckém kraji". www.novinky.cz. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
35. "Bez Kliky, zato s Bendou. Vedení ČSSD má po sporech na Ústecku své kandidáty". iDNES.cz. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
36. "Zaorálek nesouhlasí, aby na kandidátce ČSSD byl sympatizant extremistů". iDNES.cz. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
37. "SPD chce v krajských volbách získat aspoň 50 zastupitelů a vedení dvou krajů". iDNES.cz. 11 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
38. "Pohněme s tím. TOP 09 cílí ve volbách na většinu zastupitelstev v krajích". iDNES.cz. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.

Notes

1. In Plzeň Region, Pardubice Region and Moravian-Silesian Region.
2. In South Moravian Region
3. In Hradec Králové Region
4. In Vysočina Region
5. In Central Bohemian Region
6. In Pardubice Regionn.
7. In Ústí nad Labem Region.
8. In Hradec Králové Region.
9. In Olomouc region
10. In Hradec Králové Region
11. In Plzeň Region
12. In Pardubice Region
13. In Olomouc Region
14. In Hradec Králové Region
15. In South Moravian Region
16. In Central Bohemian region
17. In Olomouc region
18. In Moravian-Silesian Region
19. InNew ImpulseNový Impuls
20. In Zlín Region
21. In Zlín region