Overview

• Polling stations are open Friday and Saturday for about eight million voters to choose 200 lower-house seats, with 28 parties competing and a 5% threshold to enter parliament.
• Andrej Babiš is favored to place first but would need partners to form a government, with scenarios discussed that include deals with SPD, the Stacilo! alliance, or Motoristé.
• Incumbent Petr Fiala leads the SPOLU alliance and campaigns to preserve the country’s pro‑EU course and military support for Ukraine, yet he would also require additional allies to stay in power.
• Coverage notes a campaign environment shaped by disinformation on TikTok amplified by networks reportedly linked to the Kremlin.
• Babiš’s ANO sits with the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament, he has praised Donald Trump and Viktor Orbán, and he argues for sharply reducing assistance to Ukraine.