Czechia

Czech national elections are largely free and fair, with frequent changes in government and no single party or coalition dominant over extended periods. The October 2025 election saw former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and his ANO political party return to office after a one-term hiatus, following a highly contested vote. While international observers have noted gaps in the legal framework regulating political campaigning (notably in the areas of paid advertising and potential misuse of state resources), these shortcomings have not systematically benefited particular political actors, as reflected in the small margins of victory.

Independent media, political leaders, civil society leaders, organizations, and regular people are largely free to criticize or challenge the government openly. Czechia has a relatively concentrated but diverse media sector, which the government hasn’t unduly interfered with. Civil society is vibrant and also operates with no arbitrary restrictions, while dissenting demonstrations proceed largely unobstructed by the authorities.

Institutions are independent and largely serve as effective checks on the government. Recent reforms to the prosecution have strengthened functional independence and improved appointment processes. At the same time, major corruption scandals, notably the Čapí Hnízdo case involving former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, have underscored the persistence and ubiquity of entrenched clientelist networks and abuses of office.