The first round of Czech Senate election will be held this Sunday; one-third of a total 81 seats are being contested. The role of the Senate in Czech politics is limited, but increases when constitutional changes are on the agenda. This is the case at present, as the two largest parties, the ruling minority Social Democrats and the center-right opposition ODS, seek changes to the constitution that would limit the powers of the president and curtail the independence of the central bank. The two parties currently do not have the necessary two-thirds majority in the Senate Parliament to effect constitutional change, but could have it after this election. Most seats will likely be decided only after a second round, due November 19. Whatever the outcome, the Senate election should not directly affect the business of the current minority government, though it may have some long-term effects on domestic politics.
(Ondřej Daťka)