The motion of no confidence in the government of Andrej Babiš (ANO) was the opposition's second attempt to remove the cabinet since it was formed. The proposal to convene an extraordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies was submitted on 25 September 2026 by the opposition parties ODS, STAN, Piráti, KDU-ČSL and TOP 09, and it was signed by all 92 opposition deputies [1][2]. On the basis of this proposal, the session was convened by Speaker of the Chamber Tomio Okamura (SPD) for Tuesday 29 September at 14:00, with the proceedings expected to continue on Wednesday [1][3]. The session was convened for a date ten days before the municipal and Senate elections [1].*
Reasons for the motion
The opposition justified its attempt to topple the government with three groups of issues: the size of the deficit in the draft state budget for next year, which according to the opposition was to be the second highest in the history of the Czech Republic; the unresolved conflict of interest of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš; and the government's approach towards constitutional institutions, the courts, the non-profit sector and the media [1][2][3]. ODS chairman Martin Kupka said that Babiš's government is, by its steps, changing the character of the Czech Republic for the worse and that the motion is not an empty gesture but a step in defence of responsible management [1]. Piráti chairman Zdeněk Hřib called the cabinet incompetent or manipulated and said that the government holds democratic institutions and independent courts in contempt [1]. The chairmen of TOP 09 Matěj Ondřej Havel and of STAN Vít Rakušan criticized the government for its approach to national security and the Russian threat [1]. KDU-ČSL chairman Jan Grolich said that the budget is in direct contradiction with the government's earlier promises [1].
Balance of forces in the Chamber
For the Chamber to express no confidence in the government, at least 101 of the 200 deputies must vote for it [1][3]. The government coalition of ANO, SPD and Motoristé had 108 seats [1][3]. If all 92 opposition deputies supported the vote, they would still need at least nine votes from the government camp [3]. Speaker of the Chamber Tomio Okamura called the opposition's move a pre-election gesture [3]. It was expected that the cabinet would withstand the vote [2][3].
Previous no-confidence attempt
This was the second no-confidence vote in the government of Andrej Babiš since its formation. The first attempt took place in early February 2026 and was triggered by an escalation of the conflict between the Motoristé movement and President Petr Pavel, who refused to appoint the Motoristé's honorary president Filip Turek Minister of the Environment [1][3]. The opening day of the proceedings at that time lasted about twelve hours and the debate continued the following day; members of the government accused the opposition of delaying the work of the cabinet, while opposition deputies criticized the government mainly over its handling of the conflict surrounding Petr Macinka and the president [3]. The government withstood that vote [1][3].
Result of the vote
The Chamber voted on the motion on 1 October 2026 after three days of proceedings; the debate lasted roughly 27.5 hours of net time [4][5]. 83 opposition deputies present voted for expressing no confidence and 94 coalition deputies against; nine opposition and 14 coalition deputies were excused [4][5]. At least 101 votes would have been needed to bring down the government, so the cabinet of ANO, SPD and Motoristé continues to govern with the confidence of the Chamber [4][5]. Of the 22 attempts so far to express no confidence in a government in the history of the independent Czech Republic, only one succeeded, in 2009 against the government of Mirek Topolánek [5].
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 25 September 2026
- ČT24 — 25 September 2026
- FORUM 24 — 25 September 2026
- ČTK / České noviny — 1 October 2026
- Echo24 — 1 October 2026