The no-confidence vote in the government of Andrej Babiš (ANO) was the opposition's second attempt to remove the cabinet since its formation. The motion to convene an extraordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies was submitted on 25 September 2026 by the opposition parties ODS, STAN, the Pirates, KDU-ČSL and TOP 09, and was signed by all 92 opposition deputies [1][2]. On the basis of this motion, the Speaker of the Chamber, Tomio Okamura (SPD), convened the session for Tuesday 29 September at 14:00, with the proceedings expected to continue on Wednesday [1][3]. The vote took place ten days before the municipal and Senate elections [1].*

Grounds for the motion

The opposition justified its attempt to bring down 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 conduct toward constitutional institutions, the courts, the non-profit sector and the media [1][2][3]. ODS chairman Martin Kupka stated that Babiš's government was, through its actions, changing the character of the Czech Republic for the worse, and that the motion was not an empty gesture but a step in defence of responsible fiscal management [1]. Pirates chairman Zdeněk Hřib described the cabinet as incompetent or manipulated, and stated that the government shows contempt for democratic institutions and independent courts [1]. The chairmen of TOP 09, Matěj Ondřej Havel, and of STAN, Vít Rakušan, criticised the government for its approach to national security and the Russian threat [1]. KDU-ČSL chairman Jan Grolich stated that the budget is in direct contradiction to the government's earlier promises [1].

Balance of power 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 governing coalition of ANO, SPD and Motoristé held 108 seats [1][3]. Even if all 92 opposition deputies supported the vote, they would still need at least nine more votes from the governing camp [3]. Speaker Tomio Okamura described the opposition's move as a pre-election gesture [3]. The cabinet was expected to survive the vote [2][3].

Previous no-confidence attempt

This was the second vote of no confidence 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 Filip Turek, honorary president of Motoristé, as Minister of the Environment [1][3]. The opening day of that debate lasted approximately twelve hours and the debate continued the following day; members of the government accused the opposition of delaying the cabinet's work, while opposition deputies criticised the government over its handling of the conflict surrounding Filip Turek and the president [3]. The government survived that vote [1][3].

Sources

  1. ČTK / České noviny — 25 September 2026
  2. ČT24 — 25 September 2026
  3. FORUM 24 — 25 September 2026