The Czech Political and Electoral System
An Overview of Governance, Structure, and Challenges
Parliamentary Representative Democracy
Czech political system is a parliamentary representative democracy, which allows citizens to elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This structure empowers the parliament while limiting the concentration of power in the executive branch through various checks and balances.
Three Branches of Power
Czech political system is a parliamentary representative democracy, which allows citizens to elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This structure empowers the parliament while limiting the concentration of power in the executive branch through various checks and balances.
Legislative branch (votes on laws)
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Parliament
Executive branch (implements laws)
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Government
Judicial branch (evaluates laws)
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the Courts
The Legislative Branch of Government
Structure of Parliament
The Czech Parliament is bicameral, consisting of two houses: the Chamber of Deputies (Sněmovna) and the Senate (Senát).
Chamber of Deputies Composition
The Chamber of Deputies comprises 200 members elected for four-year terms. It operates under a proportional representation system, reflecting the diverse political landscape of the country. Parties must secure at least 5% of the vote to gain seats at all. A threshold slightly benefits the larger parties.
Functionality of the Chamber of Deputies
The Chamber of Deputies plays a crucial role in passing laws, approving budgets, and ratifying treaties. It is the primary legislative body responsible for the country’s legal framework.
Laws are adopted by majority vote within the Chamber of Deputies. The process involves various committees reviewing and amending proposals before they go to a vote.
Senate Composition
The Senate has 81 members serving six-year terms, with one-third of the seats up for election every two years. Each senator represents 1 of 81 separate constituencies. A two-round majority system is used for voting. The Senate has more ‘independent’ (not aligned with a party) members than the Chamber.
Functionality of the Senate
Although the Senate’s legislative role is less powerful than the Chamber of Deputies, it can review and propose amendments to legislation from the lower house, approve some international treaties and constitutional amendments, and serve as a check on the Chamber of Deputies, although the lower house can override its veto on regular legislation.
The Executive Branch of Government
Role of the President
The President serves as the Head of State. Elected for a five-year term with a maximum of two terms, the President appoints the Prime Minister and can veto legislation, shaping crucial policy decisions.
As Head of State, the President’s duties encompass representing the Czech Republic internationally, signing laws into effect, suggesting and appointing key officials, and ensuring the government functions effectively. This role is pivotal in maintaining national stability and promoting foreign relations.
The current president, elected in 2023, is Petr Pavel.
Electoral Process: Two-round Direct Vote
Role of the Prime Minister
Appointing the Prime Minister: forming a coalition
The Cabinet: Parties, names and function
Foto: ODS
ODS
- Petr Fiala – Prime Minister
- Zbyněk Stanjura – Finance Minister
- Pavel Blažek – Justice Minister
- Martin Baxa – Culture Minister
- Jana Černochová – Defense Minister
- Martin Kupka – Transport Minister
Foto: CTK/Glück Dalibor
KDU-ČSL
- Marian Jurečka – Work and Social Affairs Minister
- Marek Výborný – Agriculture Minister
- Petr Hladík – Environment Minister
Foto: TOP09
TOP09
- Vlastimil Válek – Health Minister
- Marek Ženíšek – Science and Innovation Minister
Zródło: Flickr/Pirátská strana (CC BY-SA 2.0)
STAN
- Vít Rakušan – Minister of Internal Affairs
- Petr Kulhánek – Minister of Local Development
- Lukáš Vlček – Minister of Industry and Trade
- Mikuláš Bek – Minister of Education, Youth and Sports
- Martin Dvořák – Minister for European Affairs
Zródło: Flickr/Pirátská strana (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Independent**
- Jan Lipavský – Minister for Foreign Affairs
* The number of ministers per party, and the importance of the specific functions, is dependent on the number of seats a party has in parliament/adds to the coalition.
** Jan Lipavský was a member of the Piráty Party, which was part of the government until October 2024. After the Pirates left the coalition, he stayed on as an independent.
Proposing laws vs Implementing law
Dynamic cooperation and opposition
President and Prime Minister
Multi-party Dynamics and Coalitions
A Senate Majority
The new cabinet does not always have a majority in the Senate due to its distinct electoral cycle, which produces different political dynamics. Not having a supportive Senate complicates governing, and requires broader negotiations with Senators and greater compromises on proposed laws and regulations to secure an ad-hoc majority for each individual proposal.
Executive hierarchy and decentralization – Role of Regional Governments
Czechia’s decentralized governance grants significant autonomy to its 14 self-governing regions, including Prague. Each region has a Regional Assembly and Governor (hejtman) to address local issues effectively while implementing national policies. Regional governments manage public services like education, healthcare, and transportation, enact region-specific regulations, and handle budgets within national guidelines, ensuring decisions meet diverse regional needs while aligning with national priorities.
Regional Assemblies are elected via proportional representation for four-year terms, reflecting voter preferences. Assemblies elect Governors, who serve as regional executives. This system balances power between central and regional authorities, fostering collaboration and subsidiarity while ensuring democratic accountability and representation.
Executive hierarchy and decentralization – Municipal Government Functions
Czechia’s decentralized governance includes municipal governments, the basic units of self-government addressing local needs. While supervised by regional authorities, municipalities have significant autonomy.
Each municipality, governed by a Municipal Council and led by a Mayor, handles local functions like urban planning, transportation, waste management, infrastructure, and cultural activities. They implement national policies locally, ensuring governance remains close to citizens and responsive to their challenges.
Municipal Councils, elected every four years via proportional representation, ensure accountability and representation. Councils elect the Mayor, who oversees executive functions and represents the municipality. Municipalities manage budgets, raise local taxes, and enact regulations, fostering a bottom-up approach that connects citizens to higher government levels.
The Judicial Branch of Government
Judicial structure
The judicial branch of Czechia plays a pivotal role in upholding the rule of law, interpreting legislation, and ensuring that the actions of other branches of government comply with the country’s Constitution.
Czechia’s judicial system is an independent entity, structured to guarantee fairness, impartiality, and justice. It operates under a civil law system, derived from its historical legal traditions and influenced by European legal standards.
The judiciary’s responsibilities include adjudicating disputes, protecting individual rights, and providing checks and balances on the executive and legislative branches.
The Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court
The Constitutional Court safeguards the constitutionality of laws and acts as the guardian of the Czech Constitution.
It consists of 15 judges suggested and appointed by the president, with Senate approval, for 10-year terms.
The Constitutional Court can annul laws or executive actions that it finds unconstitutional and protect the constitutional rights of citizens.
Supreme and Supreme Administrative Courts: These courts are the highest in the Czech judicial hierarchy. The Supreme Court deals with civil and criminal cases. The Supreme Administrative Court focuses on administrative issues and handles disputes between citizens and the state.
Other courts and judicial bodies
Czechia’s judiciary also includes regional and district courts, which handle cases at the local and intermediate levels. Judges are appointed for life by the President, ensuring their independence.
Judicial independence is reinforced by the principle of separation of powers, and judges are bound by a code of conduct to maintain impartiality. Additionally, Czechia participates in the broader European legal framework, allowing its citizens to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights when domestic remedies are exhausted.
The judicial branch’s autonomy is essential for maintaining democratic governance, protecting individual liberties, and resolving disputes impartially. By acting as a guardian of the Constitution and the legal order, the Czech judiciary ensures that all state actions adhere to the principles of justice and legality, thereby fostering public trust in the rule of law.
Challenges: Oligarchs & Corruption
Challenge: Influence of Oligarchs
The influence of oligarchs in Czech politics poses challenges to the integrity of the democratic process. Their financial power can sway political decisions and undermine accountability, leading to concerns over the fairness of the political system.
Andrej Babiš built his fortune through Agrofert, a massive conglomerate spanning agriculture, chemicals, and media, which he acquired in the 1990s during Czechia’s post-communist privatization. His business empire grew through state subsidies, European Union funding, and acquisitions, making him one of the country’s wealthiest figures. In 2011, he founded the ANO movement (“Action of Dissatisfied Citizens”), initially presenting it as an anti-corruption party opposed to traditional political elites. However, after becoming Prime Minister (2017–2021), he faced numerous scandals, including an EU audit that ruled he had violated conflict-of-interest laws by continuing to control Agrofert while it benefited from public contracts and subsidies. His ownership of major newspapers and television outlets further blurred the lines between business and politics, raising concerns over media independence. The Pandora Papers exposed his offshore dealings, fueling criticism that his wealth and power had compromised democratic accountability.
Daniel Křetínský amassed his wealth through aggressive investments in the energy sector, particularly via Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH), which he co-founded in 2009. His rise was fueled by acquiring coal, gas, and nuclear assets across Europe, often purchasing undervalued state-owned properties during privatization waves. Over time, he expanded into media, acquiring stakes in major Czech newspapers and European publications. While he has avoided direct political engagement, his control over strategic energy assets has made him a key player in policy debates on energy security and green transition. His past business ties with Russian companies have raised concerns, especially given Czechia’s reliance on Russian energy imports. His growing international influence, including attempts to acquire Royal Mail’s parent company in the UK, has further cemented his status as a power broker with economic and political leverage.
Pavel Tykač made his fortune in the 1990s through high-risk financial deals and controversial privatization ventures, including his involvement in Motoinvest, a firm accused of asset-stripping Czech banks. His wealth grew significantly when he shifted focus to the energy sector, buying up coal mines and power plants, particularly through his company Sev.en Energy. His business interests frequently intersect with politics, as he lobbies for policies that protect coal energy despite the government’s push toward renewables. Reports suggest he has used his wealth to influence political decisions, ensuring favorable regulatory conditions for his energy empire. Though he avoids public political involvement, his financial backing of certain political figures and quiet lobbying efforts have allowed him to shape Czech energy policy to his advantage.
Petr Kellner, once Czechia’s richest man, built his fortune through PPF Group, which he founded in the early 1990s by capitalizing on the country’s voucher privatization scheme. He initially focused on finance, turning PPF into a dominant force in banking, insurance, and consumer lending, before expanding into telecommunications, real estate, and media. His close ties to politicians across party lines allowed him to navigate regulatory environments favorably, with critics alleging that his business empire benefited from government decisions. His media holdings raised concerns about his influence on public discourse, as coverage of his ventures and political preferences was often seen as favorable. His deep business ties with China and Russia added another layer of controversy, particularly regarding Czechia’s foreign policy decisions. Kellner’s unexpected death in a 2021 helicopter crash left questions about the future of his empire and its political entanglements.
Challenge: Corruption
Over the past two decades, corruption in Czechia has remained a persistent issue, affecting politics at all levels—local, regional, and national. The misuse of public funds, bribery, and fraudulent procurement practices have been widespread, with EU subsidies frequently exploited by politicians and business elites. At the municipal level, one of the most infamous cases was the Opencard scandal in Prague, where a public transportation card system led to massive financial losses due to overpricing and favoritism, resulting in the conviction of former Mayor Tomáš Hudeček. At the regional level, corruption often revolved around EU structural funds, where manipulated tenders and collusion between officials and private interests led to misallocated resources. The rise of oligarchic influence has further complicated the political landscape, with figures like Andrej Babiš using their business empires to secure favorable policies and financial benefits while in government. Czechia’s ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reflects these ongoing challenges; in 2023, the country scored 57 out of 100, ranking 41st globally, only a slight improvement from the previous year’s score of 56.
At the national level, high-profile corruption scandals have rocked the government, often exposing bribery, conflicts of interest, and abuse of power. One of the most significant cases was the downfall of Prime Minister Petr Nečas in 2013, triggered by a police raid that uncovered illegal surveillance and bribery linked to his chief of staff and mistress. More recently, former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš was embroiled in the Stork’s nest case, where he was accused of fraudulently obtaining EU subsidies for a luxury resort while leading a government that distributed such funds. Despite ongoing investigations and scrutiny from EU institutions, Babiš remained a dominant political force, illustrating the difficulty of holding powerful figures accountable. While Czechia has made some progress in addressing corruption, the lack of comprehensive public data on the number of corruption cases per year underscores the need for greater transparency and systematic reporting. Public frustration remains high, as many perceive the legal system as slow and selective in prosecuting high-level corruption, reinforcing the need for stronger institutional reforms.