Babiš blames media as ANO suffers Senate election defeat

The atmosphere at ANO headquarters turned somber long before the final tallies arrived. Party officials fell silent on WhatsApp channels, unable to confirm if or when the prime minister would address the public. By Saturday afternoon, Babiš arrived at a local sports hall to formally concede, marking a failure to break the opposition’s grip on the upper house. While ANO entered the race holding 15 seats, they lost the lone mandate they were defending, leaving the door open for the Mayors and Independents (STAN) party to solidify their influence. STAN secured ten of the 14 seats they contested, positioning themselves as a formidable force for the upcoming general election.

Analysts suggest the party’s downfall stemmed from a lack of strategic depth. While STAN leader Vít Rakušan campaigned personally across districts, ANO relied on inexperienced figures. One notable instance involved candidate Sandra Tsoukernik, who attempted to draw crowds by hiring pianist Michal David rather than articulating a policy platform. Facing incumbent economist Miroslav Plevný in the Tachov and Cheb district, her campaign appeared more like a publicity stunt than a serious bid for office. With only 13 candidates advancing to the second round, Babiš’s goal of a Senate majority remained unreachable from the start.