A by-election was held in the Czech Republic on 5 and 6 April 2019 for the Prague 9 Senate seat. The incumbent Senator Zuzana Baudyšová, elected as a candidate of ANO 2011, announced her resignation on 29 January 2019 due to health problems. Jan Jarolím and David Smoljak advanced to the second round. Smoljak was eventually elected the new Senator.
Background The previous election was held in 2014, with Baudyšová elected the new Senator, nominated by ANO 2011. She resigned from the position on 29 January 2019, due to health difficulties. The new election was set for 5 and 6 April 2019.
Nominations closed on 18 February 2019, with ten candidates nominated. The Civic Democratic Party nominated Mayor of Prague 9 Jan Jarolím, who also received support from the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party. The Czech Pirate Party nominated local politician Petr Daubner, who was also endorsed by the Czech Social Democratic Party and the Green Party. Mayors and Independents nominated David Smoljak, a screenwriter and son of Ladislav Smoljak. TOP 09 nominated Martin Kroh. ANO 2011 nominated security specialist and lecturer Martin Hrubčík.
Candidates Candidate Party NotesPetr Daubner Czech Pirate Party Local politician. Also supported by Czech Social Democratic Party, Green Party and Senator 21Martin Hrubčík ANO 2011 Chairman of Local ANO 2011.Jan Jarolím Civic Democratic Party Mayor of Prague 9. Also supported by Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party and Svobodní.Jiří Koskuba Czech Sovereignty Former Social Democratic MP.Martin Kroh TOP 09 Chairman of Czech association for Housing Development Libor Michálek Vision for Czechia Former Czech Pirate Party SenatorPavel Pešan Freedom and Direct Democracy Free Citizens candidate during 2014 European Parliament election.David Smoljak Mayors and Independents Screenwriter and supporter of the party.Eva Syková For Health and Sport Scientist and former SenatorPetr Šimůnek Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party.
Campaign Petr Daubner announced his candidacy on 18 February 2019. He was nominated by the Czech Pirate Party and supported by Czech Social Democratic Party, Green Party and Senator 21. He stated that he would focus on defence of democracy and education.
David Smoljak announced his candidacy on 19 February 2019 as a nominee of Mayors and Independents. Former Senator Libor Michálek also announced his candidacy on 19 February 2019. He had previously served as a member of the Senate but was defeated in the 2018 election.
Mayor of Prague 9 Jan Jarolím announced his candidacy on 28 February 2019. He was nominated by the Civic Democratic Party and supported by Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party and Svobodní. Jarolím stated that, if elected, he wanted to focus on the environment and support for municipalities.
Former Social Democratic Senator for Prague 4 Eva Syková, who was defeated in the 2018 Senate election, was a candidate for Prague 9 Senator as the nominee of For Health and Sport. She announced her candidacy on 27 February 2019.
Jan Jarolím and David Smoljak advanced to the second round.
Opinion polls Knowledge of candidates Date Agency Jan Jarolím(ODS) Libor Michálek(Vize) David Smoljak(STAN) Martin Kroh(TOP09) Eva Syková(PZS) Petr Daubner(Piráti) Jiří Koskuba(ČS) Martin Hrubčík(ANO) Pavel Pešan(SPD) Petr Šimůnek(KSČM) 25 March 2019 Phoenix Research 26% 22% 11% 8% 8% 6% 6% 5% 5% 3%
Betting odds Fortuna agency viewed Jan Jarolím as the frontrunner due to his results in the 2018 municipal election, during which he led ODS to a clear victory in Prague 9 district. Petr Daubner and Martin Hrubčík were viewed as his strongest opponents.
Results Candidate Party 1st round 2nd roundJan Jarolím Civic Democratic Party, Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party 4,651 24.25 4,811 40.49David Smoljak Mayors and Independents 4,514 23.53 7,070 59.50Petr Daubner Czech Pirate Party, Czech Social Democratic Party, Green Party 2,674 13.94 Martin Hrubčík ANO 2011 2,391 12.46Martin Kroh TOP 09 1.392 7.25 Libor Michálek Vision for Czechia 1,127 5.87Petr Šimůnek Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia 807 4.20 Jiří Koskuba Czech Sovereignty 678 3.53Pavel Pešan Freedom and Direct Democracy 563 2.93Eva Syková For Health and Sport 380 1.98Total valid votes 19 177 99.63 11,881 99.56 Invalid votes 72 0.37 52 0.44Total 19,249 100 11,933 100 Registered voters/turnout 104,235 18.48 104,225 11.45Source:Czech Statistical Bureau
References