The Czech Republic’s government, led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), has successfully survived a vote of no confidence in the House of Representatives. The motion, which was put forward by members of the ANO movement and supported by the Social Democratic Party (SPD), failed to gain enough support from legislators, with all five coalition parties voting against it. The debate leading up to the vote lasted over 25 hours spread over two working days.

The motion of no confidence was initiated by members of the ANO movement during the presidential elections, citing the coalition’s refusal to discuss opposition topics at a recent meeting of the House of Representatives. Government politicians have linked the move to the presidential candidacy of ANO leader Andrej Babiš.

Of the 198 legislators present, 81 from ANO and SPD voted for the motion, while 102 from the coalition parties voted against it. The other 17 legislators were excused, with 11 from the opposition and 6 from the coalition. A majority of 101 votes were needed to pass the motion.

The vote took place just nine days before the second round of the presidential elections, in which Babiš is a candidate. The speaker of the House of Representatives, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, criticized Babiš for not participating in the debate or the vote, accusing him of only fighting for himself and the interests of his Agrofert holding company.

Despite the failed vote, the opposition has pledged to continue to push for discussion of their topics in the lower chamber and to use all the tools of the rules of procedure to force the coalition to engage with them. The government, meanwhile, has emphasized the lack of support for the motion and the fact that the opposition’s efforts have not been successful.

Article by Prague Forum