Czech Election Forecast: Ruling Coalition Faces Uphill Battle in Key Region
Prague, Czech Republic – A new poll is painting a grim picture for the governing coalition in the Czech republic, notably in the crucial Moravian-Silesian Region. The survey, conducted by NMS at the end of August and beginning of September, indicates significant support for the opposition ANO party, led by Andrej Babiš, and a surprising surge for the SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy) party.
According to the NMS data, ANO currently holds a commanding lead with 40.3% of the vote, followed by the SPD at 13.9%. The ruling coalition - comprised of ODS, KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09 – struggles to reach 13.8%, placing them in third position.
monika Brzesková, a prominent figure within the coalition, expressed her disappointment with the findings. “The survey is not quite good for us. What we are going to say, I wasn’t happy about it,” she stated. Brzesková acknowledged the challenges in the Moravian-Silesian Region, noting that support for ANO was expected, but the strength of the SPD came as a surprise.
The poll also reveals a significant problem for the coalition regarding public perception of key figures. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura faces particularly negative ratings, with only 9% of voters viewing him positively, while nearly 70% hold a negative opinion.Even among potential coalition voters, support for Stanjura is lukewarm, with only a third expressing a positive view. Stanjura did not respond to requests for comment.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala attempted to downplay the poll’s implications, stating, “I am convinced that it is indeed still full of days by the elections.” He emphasized the government’s accomplishments, highlighting economic growth and increased security, hoping to resonate with voters in the final stretch of the campaign. “It is necessary to convince people that our policy has brought the results of the Czech Republic… people see it in their wallets.”
While Brzesková fares somewhat better, with 20% positive responses, recognition remains an issue, with only half of respondents knowing her – a legacy perhaps from her earlier career as Miss Europe 1995.
The results underscore the uphill battle facing the ruling coalition as they attempt to retain support in a region vital to their overall electoral success. The coming weeks will be critical as they strive to shift public opinion and demonstrate the tangible benefits of their policies.
Link to original article in Czech
Keywords: Czech Republic, Elections, Poll, ANO, SPD, Ruling Coalition, Moravian-Silesian Region, Petr Fiala, Zbyněk