Josef Bazala is a Czech politician for KDU-ČSL and the senator for the Uherské Hradiště district, which he has represented in the Senate of the Czech Republic since autumn 2020.[1][2] He trained as a mechanical engineer; from 1978 he worked at the company Let Kunovice as a toolmaker, technologist, dispatcher and shop-floor representative.[1]
From 2006 to 2021 he was the mayor of Old Town in the Uherské Hradiště area, and he has sat on the local council since 1998. According to Novinky.cz he is now a town councillor and a regional assembly member.[1] He worked as a choreographer and artistic director of the folklore ensemble Dolina and sings in the men's choir Staroměstští mládenci.[1]
Senate elections 2026
In the first round of the Senate elections in October 2026 Bazala won almost 48 percent of the vote, narrowly missing election in the first round. Jiří Vašica (ANO) finished second with 28 percent.[1] Kristýna Zelienková (ZVUK) came third with 10 percent.[1] Both candidates advanced to the second round.[2][3]
Bazala is seeking to defend his seat.[3] According to Bazala, he is running with the support of four opposition parties and would like to continue in the Senate of the Czech Republic on the Committee on Territorial Development, Public Administration and the Environment.[3] Czech Television prepared a debate between the two advancing candidates before the second round.[4]
Sources
- Novinky.cz — 10 October 2026
- iROZHLAS — 15 October 2026
- iDNES.cz — 13 October 2026
- ČT24: regiony — 15 October 2026