- Regional and Senate elections are held in the Czech Republic
Regional and Senate elections are held in the Czech Republic
Two days of elections for the Senate and regional assemblies in the Czech Republic begin on Friday, despite the catastrophe caused by floods in the country's east.
New assemblies are being elected in 13 regions, except the capital, Prague, which has a special status. This vote is seen as a barometer of public sentiment ahead of next year's lower house elections, which will determine the next government.
The regions run schools, hospitals and care homes and distribute EU subsidies. Polling stations will open at 2pm on Friday and Saturday.
Cities and municipalities badly affected by the floods have called for postponing the elections. However, Prime Minister Petro Fialos's government rejected these calls, saying they could lead to legal challenges.
In some areas, the flooding has caused power outages, downed mobile networks, and destroyed impassable roads and bridges.
Based on ELTA reports
