Leaders of the Czech centrist party STAN and the centre‑right coalition SPOLU announced on Monday that they will form a joint governing bloc in Prague, the capital, as they continue negotiations to build a majority government following the recent parliamentary election.
Coalition Formation After Election
The election left the 200‑seat Chamber of Deputies without a single party holding a majority, prompting the need for coalition talks. STAN, a party of mayors and independents, and SPOLU, an alliance comprising the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), Christian Democrats (KDU‑ČSL) and TOP 09, said they have reached a preliminary agreement to cooperate in the capital and are now searching for additional partners to secure a stable majority at the national level.
Pirates Refuse Invitation
The Pirate Party, which secured a notable share of the vote in the election, was approached by the two blocs to join the coalition negotiations. According to the report from iDNES.cz, the Pirates declined the offer.
"Piráti nabídku odmítli" – the Pirates rejected the invitation.
While the refusal narrows the pool of potential partners, STAN and SPOLU said they remain open to discussions with other parliamentary groups. Both sides emphasized the importance of forming a coalition that can deliver on economic reforms, energy security and EU‑aligned foreign policy, themes that dominated the campaign.
Analysts note that the partnership between STAN and SPOLU represents a convergence of centrist and centre‑right forces, potentially reshaping the Czech political landscape ahead of the new parliamentary term. The two blocs have previously cooperated on local government issues, and their combined parliamentary seats are expected to be sufficient to command a majority once additional allies are secured.
International observers are watching the negotiations closely, as the Czech Republic’s policy direction on matters such as NATO commitments, migration and climate targets will be influenced by the composition of the next government. The outcome will also affect the country’s standing within the European Union, where coalition stability is often linked to the ability to negotiate budgetary and regulatory matters.
The next steps involve formal talks to draft a coalition agreement, allocation of ministerial portfolios and the selection of a prime‑ministerial candidate. Both STAN and SPOLU have signaled that they aim to present a complete government lineup before the end of the month, pending approval by their respective party congresses.
