Czech voters return to polls for Senate run-offs

Voting begins today in the second round of Czech Senate elections, with 22 seats to be decided by Saturday. Five senators secured victory outright in the first round last weekend. The run-offs will determine whether the opposition Mayors and Independents or the governing ANO movement forms the second-largest Senate group. The joint ODS–TOP 09 group is expected to remain the largest. Around 2.25 million people are eligible to vote. Ballot papers will be available at polling stations rather than delivered to homes. First-round turnout reached 43.31 percent, but participation typically falls sharply in run-offs. Results are expected on Saturday.